more from Trenton Merricks

Single Idea 6125

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Simples]

Full Idea

Eliminativism about physical objects does not require a commitment to (or against) simples.

Clarification

'Simples' are irreducible elements of reality

Gist of Idea

We can eliminate objects without a commitment to simples

Source

Trenton Merricks (Objects and Persons [2003], §1.I)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Objects and Persons' [OUP 2003], p.3


A Reaction

His strategy is to eliminate objects in favour of whatever it is (an unknown) to which objects actually reduce. His point seems to be clearly correct, just as I might eliminate 'life' from my ontology, without quite knowing what it is.