more on this theme     |     more from this thinker     |     more from this text


Single Idea 13330

[filed under theme 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / b. Sums of parts ]

Full Idea

In the 'compound' notion of sum, the mereological sum is spread out only in space, not also in time. For it to exist at a time, all of its components must exist at the time.

Gist of Idea

An 'compound' sum is not spread in time, and only exists when all the components exists

Source

Kit Fine (Things and Their Parts [1999], §1)

Book Ref

-: 'Midwest Studs in Philosophy' [-], p.63


A Reaction

It is hard to think of anything to which this applies, apart from for a classical mereologist. Named parts perhaps, like Tom, Dick and Harry. Most things preserve sum identity despite replacement of parts by identical components.