Single Idea 14928

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 1. Unifying an Object / c. Unity as conceptual]

Full Idea

Individual things are locally focused abstractions from modal structure.

Gist of Idea

Things are abstractions from structures

Source

J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.4)

Book Reference

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.153


A Reaction

I am a fan of the role of abstraction in our understanding of the world, despite my limited progress in trying to explicate the idea. I can't decide whether or not there are any things. A bit basic, that!

Related Idea

Idea 14927 Physics seems to imply that we must give up self-subsistent individuals [Ladyman/Ross]