Single Idea 15844

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

Full Idea

But this sum now - isn't it just when there is nothing lacking that it is a sum? Yes, necessarily. And won't this very same thing - that from which nothing is lacking - be a whole?

Gist of Idea

A sum is that from which nothing is lacking, which is a whole

Source

Plato (Theaetetus [c.364 BCE], 205a)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.227


A Reaction

This seems to be right, be rather too vague and potentially circular to be of much use. What is the criterion for deciding that nothing is lacking?