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Single Idea 15519

[from 'Parts of Classes' by David Lewis, in 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / b. Sums of parts ]

Full Idea

A trout-turkey is inhomogeneous, disconnected, not in contrast with its surroundings. It is not cohesive, not causally integrated, not a causal unit in its impact on the rest of the world. It is not carved at the joints. That doesn't affect its existence.

Gist of Idea

Trout-turkeys exist, despite lacking cohesion, natural joints and united causal power

Source

David Lewis (Parts of Classes [1991], 3.5)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Parts of Classes' [Blackwell 1991], p.80


A Reaction

A nice pre-emptive strike against all the reasons why anyone might think more is needed for unity than a mereological fusion.