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Single Idea 17511

[filed under theme 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / e. Individuation by kind ]

Full Idea

The recognition of the fact of continuity is logically independent of the possession of sortal concepts, whereas the formation of sortal concepts is at least psychologically dependent upon the recognition of continuity.

Gist of Idea

Recognising continuity is separate from sortals, and must precede their use

Source

M.R. Ayers (Individuals without Sortals [1974], Intro)

Book Ref

-: 'Canadian Journal of Philosophy' [-], p.117

A Reaction

I take this to be entirely correct. I might add that unity must also be recognised.

The 15 ideas from 'Individuals without Sortals'

17511 Recognising continuity is separate from sortals, and must precede their use [Ayers]
17510 Speakers need the very general category of a thing, if they are to think about it [Ayers]
17509 Some say a 'covering concept' completes identity; others place the concept in the reference [Ayers]
17523 Sortals basically apply to individuals [Ayers]
17521 You can't have the concept of a 'stage' if you lack the concept of an object [Ayers]
17522 We use sortals to classify physical objects by the nature and origin of their unity [Ayers]
17520 Events do not have natural boundaries, and we have to set them [Ayers]
17519 To express borderline cases of objects, you need the concept of an 'object' [Ayers]
17518 Counting 'coin in this box' may have coin as the unit, with 'in this box' merely as the scope [Ayers]
17514 Temporal 'parts' cannot be separated or rearranged [Ayers]
17512 If diachronic identities need covering concepts, why not synchronic identities too? [Ayers]
17513 If there are two objects, then 'that marble, man-shaped object' is ambiguous [Ayers]
17515 Seeing caterpillar and moth as the same needs continuity, not identity of sortal concepts [Ayers]
17517 Could the same matter have more than one form or principle of unity? [Ayers]
17516 If counting needs a sortal, what of things which fall under two sortals? [Ayers]