Single Idea 9018

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 1. Physical Objects]

Full Idea

We might think of a physical object as simply the whole four-dimensional material content, however sporadic and heterogeneous, of some portion of space-time. If it is firm and coherent internally, we call it a body.

Gist of Idea

A physical object is the four-dimensional material content of a portion of space-time

Source

Willard Quine (Philosophy of Logic [1970], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Philosophy of Logic' [Prentice-Hall 1970], p.36


A Reaction

An early articulation of one of the two standard views of objects in recent philosophy. I think I prefer the Quinean view, but I am still looking into that one...