Full Idea
Most materialist ontologies of the past postulate that the world ultimately consists of smallest indivisible component parts that persist because they must; they are permanent.
Gist of Idea
Most materialist views postulate smallest indivisible components which are permanent
Source
R.D. Ingthorsson (A Powerful Particulars View of Causation [2021], 2.1)
A Reaction
Van Inwagen is notable for this view. Ingthorsson says the theory is to explain medium-sized change, while denying that anything comes to be out of nothing. Theology may lurk in the background. Simple persistance won't explain compound persistance.
Book Reference
'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Time', ed/tr. Callender,Craig [OUP 2013], p.20