Single Idea 15851

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 1. Unifying an Object / b. Unifying aggregates]

Full Idea

The part would not be the part of many things or all, but of some one character ['ideas'] and of some one thing, which we call a 'whole', since it has come to be one complete [perfected] thing composed [created] of all.

Gist of Idea

Parts must belong to a created thing with a distinct form

Source

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

Book Reference

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


A Reaction

A serious shot by Plato at what identity is. Harte quotes it (125) and shows that 'character' is Gk 'idea', and 'composed' will translate as 'created'. 'Form' links this Platonic passage to Aristotle's hylomorphism.