Full Idea
It is not at all clear that the identity of a composite object can be fixed by the identity of its original composition, since there are good grounds for claiming that the reverse is in fact the case.
Gist of Idea
The identity of composite objects isn't fixed by original composition, because how do you identify the origin?
Source
E.J. Lowe (The Possibility of Metaphysics [1998], 7.5)
Book Reference
Lowe,E.J.: 'The Possibility of Metaphysics' [OUP 2001], p.166
A Reaction
That is, how could you identify the origin if you didn't know what it was that had originated? Nice point. See also Idea 8274. Vicars must make sure they baptise the right baby.
Related Idea
Idea 8274 Socrates can't have a necessary origin, because he might have had no 'origin' [Lowe on Kripke]