Single Idea 10919

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / c. Wholes from parts]

Full Idea

What is it in this stone, by which ...it is absolutely incompatible with the stone for it to be divided into several parts each of which is this stone, the kind of division that is proper to a universal whole as divided into its subjective parts?

Gist of Idea

What prevents a stone from being divided into parts which are still the stone?

Source

John Duns Scotus (Ordinatio [1302], II d3 p1 q2 n48)


A Reaction

This is the origin of the concept of haecceity, when Scotus wants to know what exactly individuates each separate entity. He may have been mistaken in thinking that such a question has an answer.