Single Idea 15434

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 1. Structure of an Object]

Full Idea

There is a necessary connection between the instantiating of a structural universal by the whole and the instantiating of other universals by its parts. We can call the relation 'involvement', a nondescript word.

Gist of Idea

Structural universals have a necessary connection to the universals forming its parts

Source

David Lewis (Against Structural Universals [1986], 'What are')

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Papers in Metaphysics and Epistemology' [CUP 1999], p.81


A Reaction

In the case of a shape, I suppose the composing 'universals' [dunno what they are] will all be essential to the shape - that is, part of the very nature of the thing, loss of which would destroy the identity.