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Single Idea 12846

[filed under theme 4. Formal Logic / G. Formal Mereology / 4. Groups ]

Full Idea

We call a 'collection' of jewels a 'group' term. Several random musicians are unlikely to be an orchestra. If they come together regularly in a room to play, such conditions are constitutive of an orchestra.

Gist of Idea

A 'group' is a collection with a condition which constitutes their being united

Source

Peter Simons (Parts [1987], 4.4)

Book Ref

Simons,Peter: 'Parts: a Study in Ontology' [OUP 1987], p.146

A Reaction

Clearly this invites lots of borderline cases. Eleven footballers don't immediately make a team, as followers of the game know well.

The 3 ideas with the same theme [collections of individuals with a unifying concept]:

12846 A 'group' is a collection with a condition which constitutes their being united [Simons]
12848 The same members may form two groups [Simons]
12861 'The wolves' are the matter of 'the pack'; the latter is a group, with different identity conditions [Simons]