Single Idea 17571

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

Full Idea

The thesis about composition and parthood that I am advocating has far-reaching ontological consequences: that every physical thing is either a living organism or a simple.

Gist of Idea

Every physical thing is either a living organism or a simple

Source

Peter van Inwagen (Material Beings [1990], 10)

Book Reference

Inwagen,Peter van: 'Material Beings' [Cornell 1995], p.98


A Reaction

A 'simple' is a placeholder for anything considered to be a fundamental unit of existence (such as an electron or a quark). This amazingly sharp distinction strikes me as utterly implausible. There is too much in the middle ground.