more from Trenton Merricks

Single Idea 6141

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 5. Composition of an Object]

Full Idea

If we imagine a world like ours except that, while there are atoms arranged statuewise in that world, there are no statues, ...no amount of looking around could distinguish that imagined world from ours.

Gist of Idea

There is no visible difference between statues, and atoms arranged statuewise

Source

Trenton Merricks (Objects and Persons [2003], §2.V)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Objects and Persons' [OUP 2003], p.55


A Reaction

This is one of his arguments for ontological eliminativism about physical objects. If we accept the argument, it will wreak havoc with our entire ontology, and we will end up anti-realists. I say you have to see statues - you just can't miss them.