Single Idea 15837

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / b. Sums of parts]

Full Idea

The difficulty with the claim that a whole is (just) the sum of its parts is what are we to understand by 'the sum'? ...If we say wholes are 'composites' of parts, how are we to understand the relation of composition?

Gist of Idea

What exactly is a 'sum', and what exactly is 'composition'?

Source

Verity Harte (Plato on Parts and Wholes [2002], 1.1)

Book Reference

Harte,Verity: 'Plato on Parts and Wholes' [OUP 2002], p.10