Single Idea 13264

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 1. Unifying an Object / a. Intrinsic unification]

Full Idea

If a whole is just a structure, we wonder how the guests could really be part of the dinner party seating structure, when the complex whole is fully exhausted by the structure that specifies the slots.

Gist of Idea

If a whole is just a structure, a dinner party wouldn't need the guests to turn up

Source

Kathrin Koslicki (The Structure of Objects [2008], 4.2.2)

Book Reference

Koslicki,Kathrin: 'The Structure of Objects' [OUP 2008], p.115


A Reaction

This cuts both ways. A dinner party may necessarily require guests, but the seating plan can be specified in the absence of any guests, who may never turn up. A seating plan is not a dinner party. Perhaps we have two objects here.