Single Idea 7551

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / B. Modern Physics / 4. Standard Model / a. Concept of matter]

Full Idea

We must regard matter as a logical construction.

Gist of Idea

Matter is a logical construction

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Ultimate Constituents of Matter [1915], p.132)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Mysticism and Logic' [Unwin 1989], p.132


A Reaction

A logical construction is a fancy way of saying a best explanation (but with Ockham's Razor hanging over it). A key component missing from Russell's account is that we can directly experience matter, because we are made of it.