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Single Idea 16612

[from 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' by Robert Pasnau, in 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / b. Form as principle ]

Full Idea

Hylomorphism admits of an alternative formulation, as an explanatory schema at a different level of analysis, not competing with corpuscular-mechanistic theory, but accounting for abstract features of the world - notably unity and endurance of substances.

Gist of Idea

Hylomorphism may not be a rival to science, but an abstract account of unity and endurance

Source

Robert Pasnau (Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 [2011], 06.1)

Book Reference

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.101


A Reaction

Pasnau is clearly sympathetic. As a view of why normal objects have unity and persist over time it is almost the only decent theory around. Hawley, for example, struggles to explain how 'stages' of a thing are linked. Classical mereology is silly.