Single Idea 15840

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / b. Sums of parts]

Full Idea

The syllable is something - not only its elements (the vowel and the consonant) but also something else; ...that something must itself be either an element or composed of elements.

Gist of Idea

If a syllable is more than its elements, is the extra bit also an element?

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1041b16-19)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'The Basic Works of Aristotle', ed/tr. McKeon,Richard [Modern Library Classics 2001], p.811


A Reaction

This pinpoints the key initial question, not just about the claims of 'holism', but about the whole puzzle of what give objects their identity?