Single Idea 12860

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / e. Individuation by kind]

Full Idea

A sortal noun for a kind of continuant tells us, among other things, under what conditions the object continues to exist and under what conditions it ceases to exist.

Gist of Idea

Sortal nouns for continuants tell you their continuance- and cessation-conditions

Source

Peter Simons (Parts [1987], 6.3)

Book Reference

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.223


A Reaction

This sounds blatantly false. If you know something is a 'snake', that doesn't tell you how hot it must get before the snakes die. Obviously if you know all about snakes (from studying individual snakes!), then you know a lot about the next snake.