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Full Idea
The physical object, as inferred from perception, is a group of events arranged about a centre.
Gist of Idea
A perceived physical object is events grouped around a centre
Source
Bertrand Russell (The Analysis of Matter [1927], 23)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'The Analysis of Matter' [Routledge 1992], p.244
A Reaction
At least I like the active aspect of this definition. You then have to explain what an event is, without mentioning objects. You'd better no mention properties either, since they will probably depend on the dreaded objects.
Related Idea
Idea 14733 An object produces the same percepts with or without a substance, so that is irrelevant to science [Russell]
6402 | In 1927, Russell analysed force and matter in terms of events [Russell, by Grayling] |
6418 | Russell rejected phenomenalism because it couldn't account for causal relations [Russell, by Grayling] |
21706 | At first matter is basic and known by sense-data; later Russell says matter is constructed [Russell, by Linsky,B] |
14732 | A perceived physical object is events grouped around a centre [Russell] |
14733 | An object produces the same percepts with or without a substance, so that is irrelevant to science [Russell] |