Single Idea 15850

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / a. Parts of objects]

Full Idea

The whole of which the parts are parts must be one thing composed of many; for each of the parts must be part, not of a many, but of a whole.

Gist of Idea

Anything which has parts must be one thing, and parts are of a one, not of a many

Source

Plato (Parmenides [c.366 BCE], 157c)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.389


A Reaction

This is a key move of metaphysics, and we should hang on to it. The other way madness lies.

Related Idea

Idea 15849 Plato says only a one has parts, and a many does not [Plato, by Harte,V]