Single Idea 7961

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / c. Individuation by location]

Full Idea

The so-called 'laws of thinghood' govern particulars, saying that one thing cannot be wholly present at different places at the same time, and two things cannot occupy the same place at the same time.

Gist of Idea

A 'thing' cannot be in two places at once, and two things cannot be in the same place at once

Source

Cynthia Macdonald (Varieties of Things [2005], Ch.6)

Book Reference

Macdonald,Cynthia: 'Varieties of Things' [Blackwell 2005], p.237


A Reaction

Is this an empirical observation, or a tautology? Or might it even be a priori synthetic? What happens when two water drops or clouds merge? Or an amoeba fissions? In what sense is an image in two places at once? Se also Idea 2351.

Related Idea

Idea 2351 Aristotle says an object (e.g. a lamp) has identity if its parts stay together when it is moved [Putnam]