Single Idea 11844

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / c. Wholes from parts]

Full Idea

If I repair or destroy an item, I do not repair or destroy each part of it (and since each part of a part is a part this would be difficult).

Gist of Idea

If I destroy an item, I do not destroy each part of it

Source

David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance Renewed [2001], 2.6)

Book Reference

Wiggins,David: 'Sameness and Substance Renewed' [CUP 2001], p.38


A Reaction

This seems like a nice refutation of any attempt to claim that a thing is no more than the sum of its parts, but one could analyse the notion of 'destroy', and find it just meant introducing gaps between parts.