Towards a Platonic theory of wholes and parts
The aim of this thesis is to introduce and elaborate a new conception of the relation between wholes and parts. Wholes, I propose, can be conceived of as 'Unities', in contrast to their currently familiar conception as 'sums'. My starting point is the distinction which Plato draws in <I>Theaetetus </I>(203c-205a) between two conceptions of a complex entity, and the contrast between Unities and sums emerges along lines suggested by Plato's distinction. Part I is preoccupied with general conceptual and historical background. Some fundamental assumptions which might appear to constrain any theory of wholes and parts are placed in perspective, thus preparing the grounds for their rejection in the context of a theory of Unities. In Part II the conception of wholes as sums is presented, and it is extensively argued that modern discussions of wholes generally presuppose this conception. This presupposition is shared not only by authors who subscribe to the 'classical' mereological theories of Lesniewski and Goodman, but also by theorists of holistic sympathies (i.e. theorists who make use, for example, of the notion of an organic whole, or of a Gestalt) who rely on 'neoclassical' theories. It is urged that this conception
Meirav, Ariel
Towards a Platonic theory of wholes and parts. The aim of this thesis is to introduce and elaborate a new conception of the relation between wholes and parts. Wholes, I propose, can be conceived of as 'Unities', in contrast to their currently familiar conception as 'sums'. My starting point is the distinction which Plato draws in <I>Theaetetus </I>(203c-205a) between two conceptions of a complex entity, and the contrast between Unities and sums emerges along lines suggested by Plato's distinction. Part I is preoccupied with general conceptual and historical background. Some fundamental assumptions which might appear to constrain any theory of wholes and parts are placed in perspective, thus preparing the grounds for their rejection in the context of a theory of Unities. In Part II the conception of wholes as sums is presented, and it is extensively argued that modern discussions of wholes generally presuppose this conception. This presupposition is shared not only by authors who subscribe to the 'classical' mereological theories of Lesniewski and Goodman, but also by theorists of holistic sympathies (i.e. theorists who make use, for example, of the notion of an organic whole, or of a Gestalt) who rely on 'neoclassical' theories. It is urged that this conception
towards platonic theory whole part aim introduce elaborate new conception relation whole part propose conceive contrast currently familiar conception start_point distinction plato draw conception complex entity contrast sum emerges along_line suggest plato distinction part preoccupy general conceptual historical_background fundamental_assumption might appear constrain theory whole part place perspective thus prepare ground rejection context theory part conception whole sum present extensively argue modern discussion whole generally presuppose conception presupposition share author subscribe classical mereological theory also theorists holistic sympathy theorist make_use example notion organic whole rely neoclassical theory urge conception