Single Idea 6130

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 6. Constitution of an Object]

Full Idea

Composition as identity claims that a single object is identical with the many parts it comprises; constitution as identity says that a single object (a statue) is identical with a single object (clay) that 'constitutes' it.

Gist of Idea

'Composition' says things are their parts; 'constitution' says a whole substance is an object

Source

Trenton Merricks (Objects and Persons [2003], §1 n11)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Objects and Persons' [OUP 2003], p.20


A Reaction

The constitution view has been utilised (by Lynn Rudder Baker) to give an account of personal identity as constituted by a human body. Neither sounds quite right to me; the former view misses something about reality; the latter doesn't explain much.