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Single Idea 14757

[from 'Four Dimensionalism' by Theodore Sider, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 12. Essential Parts ]

Full Idea

Mereological essentialism says that an object's parts are necessary for its existence. ....It is literally never correct to say that an thing survives a change in its parts.

Gist of Idea

Mereological essentialism says an object's parts are necessary for its existence

Source

Theodore Sider (Four Dimensionalism [2001], 5.7)

Book Reference

Sider,Theodore: 'Four Dimensionalism' [OUP 2003], p.181


A Reaction

Chisholm is well known for proposing this view. Sider adds a possible toughening clause, that the parts are also sufficient for the object's existence. This is a philosophers' notion of identity, not the normal English language concept.