Full Idea
Although it is convenient to speak of electrons as particles or elementary substances, when they enter into relations they can 'lose their individuality. Then an electron becomes a kind of 'abstract particular', a way a given system is, a mode.
Gist of Idea
Electrons are treated as particles, but they lose their individuality in relations
Source
John Heil (The Universe as We Find It [2012], 03.7)
Book Reference
Heil,John: 'The Universe as We Find It' [OUP 2012], p.47
A Reaction
Heil rightly warns us against basing our metaphysics on disputed theories of quantum mechanics.