Single Idea 13332

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 1. Unifying an Object / c. Unity as conceptual]

Full Idea

It is the hierarchical conception of sets and their members, rather than the linear conception of set and subset or of aggregate and component, that provides us with the better model for the structure of part-whole in its application to material things.

Gist of Idea

Hierarchical set membership models objects better than the subset or aggregate relations do

Source

Kit Fine (Things and Their Parts [1999], §5)

Book Reference

-: 'Midwest Studs in Philosophy' [-], p.72


A Reaction

His idea is to give some sort of internal structure. He says of {a,b,c,d} that we can create subsets {a,b} and {c,d} from that. But {{a,b},{c,d}} has given member sets, and he is looking for 'natural' divisions between the members.