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Single Idea 14927

[from 'Every Thing Must Go' by J Ladyman / D Ross, in 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 6. Nihilism about Objects ]

Full Idea

There is growing convergence among philosophers of physics that physics motivates abandonment of a metaphysics that posits fundamental self-subsistent individuals.

Gist of Idea

Physics seems to imply that we must give up self-subsistent individuals

Source

J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.4)

Book Reference

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.153


A Reaction

They cite fermions as an example, which only seem to be given an identity by the relations into which they enter. It is a bit cheeky to simultaneously offer this idea, and despise van Inwagen and Merricks for the same object nihilism.

Related Idea

Idea 14928 Things are abstractions from structures [Ladyman/Ross]