Single Idea 6136

[catalogued under 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 13. No Identity over Time]

Full Idea

I say we should endorse eliminativism about physical objects, because it offers the most plausible understanding of what occurs during the Sorites Game (eliminating grains of a thing one at a time).

Gist of Idea

Eliminativism about objects gives the best understanding of the Sorites paradox

Source

Trenton Merricks (Objects and Persons [2003], §2.II)

Book Reference

Merricks,Trenton: 'Objects and Persons' [OUP 2003], p.35


A Reaction

That is one route to go in explaining the paradox (i.e. by saying there never was a 'heap' in the first place). I suspect a better route is to say that heaps really exist as natural phenomena, but they suffer from vague identity and borderline cases.