more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 14121

[catalogued under 4. Formal Logic / G. Formal Mereology / 1. Mereology]

Full Idea

The relation of whole and part is, it would seem, an indefinable and ultimate relation, or rather several relations, often confounded, of which one at least is indefinable.

Gist of Idea

The part-whole relation is ultimate and indefinable

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §135)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.138


A Reaction

This is before anyone had produced a mathematical account of mereology (qv).