more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
If a branch falls from a tree, the tree does not thereby become scattered, and a human body does not become scattered upon loss of a bit of fingernail.
Gist of Idea
Bodies don't becomes scattered by losing small or minor parts
Source
Richard Cartwright (Scattered Objects [1974], p.184)
Book Ref
Cartwright,Richard: 'Philosophical Essays' [MIT 1987], p.184
A Reaction
This sort of observation draws me towards essentialism. A body is scattered if you divide it in a major way, but not if you separate off a minor part. It isn't just a matter of size, or even function. We have broader idea of what is essential.
14961 | Clearly a pipe can survive being taken apart [Cartwright,R] |
14962 | Bodies don't becomes scattered by losing small or minor parts [Cartwright,R] |
14590 | If we accept scattered objects such as archipelagos, why not think of cars that way? [Hawthorne] |