more from Theodore Sider

Single Idea 14752

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 3. Unity Problems / c. Statue and clay]

Full Idea

Presumably it is claimed that the artist 'created' the statue because the object created is essentially a statue, and thus cannot be identified with the unformed lump of clay with which the artist began.

Gist of Idea

Artists 'create' statues because they are essentially statues, and so lack identity with the lump of clay

Source

Theodore Sider (Four Dimensionalism [2001])

Book Reference

Sider,Theodore: 'Four Dimensionalism' [OUP 2003], p.162


A Reaction

This is based on Burke's views. This is sortal essentialism, rather than my own view of essence as an inner explanatory mechanism or form. If an old abstract sculpture was no longer recognised as a statue, would it necessarily still be a statue?

Related Idea

Idea 14751 Tib goes out of existence when the tail is lost, because Tib was never the 'cat' [Burke,M, by Sider]