Single Idea 6132

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 5. Composition of an Object]

Full Idea

Composition as identity implies that no persisting object ever changes its parts, which is clearly false, so composition as identity is false.

Clarification

'Composition as identity' (Lewis) says a thing just is its parts

Gist of Idea

Composition as identity is false, as it implies that things never change their parts

Source

Trenton Merricks (Objects and Persons [2003], §1.IV)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Objects and Persons' [OUP 2003], p.22


A Reaction

Presumably Lewis can say that when a thing subtly changes its parts, it really does lose its strict identity, but becomes another 'time-slice' or close 'counterpart' of the original object. This is a coherent view, but I disagree. I'm a believer.