Single Idea 16750

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 7. Later Matter Theories / b. Corpuscles]

Full Idea

If all there are corpuscles of various shapes and sizes, variously arranged, it is not easy to see how we might draw the boundary lines, at any given moment, between one substance and another.

Gist of Idea

If there are just arrangements of corpuscles, where are the boundaries between substances?

Source

Robert Pasnau (Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 [2011], 24.2)

Book Reference

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.555


A Reaction

We still have precisely that problem, and it leads to the nihilism about ordinary objects found in Unger, Van Inwagen and Merricks. I have so far found modern defences of ordinary objects unpersuasive.

Related Ideas

Idea 13575 If there are borderline cases between natural kinds, that makes them superficial [Ellis]

Idea 17410 Moseley showed the elements progress in units, and thereby clearly identified the gaps [Scerri]