Full Idea
The view of 'priority monism' - that the whole is prior to its parts - is controversial, but has been growing in support
Gist of Idea
That a whole is prior to its parts ('priority monism') is a view gaining in support
Source
Douglas Edwards (Properties [2014], 5.4.4)
Book Reference
Edwards,Douglas: 'Properties' [Polity 2014], p.103
A Reaction
The simple and plausible thought is, I take it, that parts only count as parts when a whole comes into existence, so a whole is needed to generate parts. Thus the whole must be prior to the parts. Fine by me.