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)
Book Reference
'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Time', ed/tr. Callender,Craig [OUP 2013], p.20
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.