Single Idea 10655

[catalogued under 4. Formal Logic / G. Formal Mereology / 1. Mereology]

Full Idea

It is an open question whether there are any mereological atoms (with no proper parts), and also whether every object is ultimately made up of atoms.

Gist of Idea

Are there mereological atoms, and are all objects made of them?

Source

Achille Varzi (Mereology [2003], 3)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.8


A Reaction

Such a view would have to presuppose (metaphysically) that the divisibility of matter has limits. If one follows this route, then are there only 'natural' wholes, or are we 'unrestricted' in our view of how the atoms combine? I favour the natural route.