Single Idea 12858

[catalogued under 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 8. Stuff / b. Mixtures]

Full Idea

If a cupful of dirty water is mixed evenly with a ton of earth, no dirty water remains, and the same goes if we mix it evenly with a lake of clean water.

Gist of Idea

Mixtures disappear if nearly all of the mixture is one ingredient

Source

Peter Simons (Parts [1987], 6.2)

Book Reference

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.219


A Reaction

This means that a mixture is a vague entity, subject to the sorites paradox. If the dirt was cyanide, we would consider the water to be polluted by it down to a much lower level.