Single Idea 15512

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / b. Sums of parts]

Full Idea

It is a principle of mereology that no two things consist of exactly the same atoms.

Gist of Idea

In mereology no two things consist of the same atoms

Source

David Lewis (Parts of Classes [1991], 2.3)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Parts of Classes' [Blackwell 1991], p.39


A Reaction

The problem with this is screamingly obvious - that the same atoms might differ in structure. Lewis did refer to this problem, but seems to try to wriggle out of it, in Idea 15444.

Related Ideas

Idea 15444 Different things (a toy house and toy car) can be made of the same parts at different times [Lewis]

Idea 15445 Butane and Isobutane have the same atoms, but different structures [Lewis]