Single Idea 8264

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 1. Physical Objects]

Full Idea

Van Ingwagen holds that although table-shaped collections of particles exist, tables do not.

Gist of Idea

Maybe table-shaped particles exist, but not tables

Source

report of Peter van Inwagen (Material Beings [1990], Ch.13) by E.J. Lowe - The Possibility of Metaphysics 2.3

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'The Possibility of Metaphysics' [OUP 2001], p.39


A Reaction

I find this idea appealing. See the ideas of Trenton Merricks. When you get down to micro-level, it is hard to individuate a table among the force fields, and hard to distinguish a table from a smashed or burnt table. An ontology without objects?