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Single Idea 14165

[from 'The Principles of Mathematics' by Bertrand Russell, in 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 7. Limitations of Analysis ]

Full Idea

It is said that analysis is falsification, that the complex is not equivalent to the sum of its constituents and is changed when analysed into these.

Gist of Idea

Analysis falsifies, if when the parts are broken down they are not equivalent to their sum

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §439)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.466


A Reaction

Not quite Moore's Paradox of Analysis, but close. Russell is articulating the view we now call 'holism' - that the whole is more than the sum of its parts - which I can never quite believe.