Single Idea 14949

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / c. Wholes from parts]

Full Idea

A nostril, a city and a trumpet solo is not a real pattern, because identification of it supports no generalisations not supported by identification of the three conjuncts considered separately.

Gist of Idea

A sum of things is not a whole if the whole does not support some new generalisation

Source

J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 4.4)

Book Reference

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.231


A Reaction

This is a nice try at offering a criterion for unity, but I doubt whether it will work, because an ingenious person could come up with wild generalisations. These three combined make possible a charming new line of poetry.