Plato on Parts and Wholes: The Metaphysics of Structure

by Verity Harte

Overview

What is the relation between a whole and its parts? The metaphysics of structure and composition is much discussed in modern philosophy; now Verity Harte provides the first sustained examination of Plato's rich but neglected discussion of the topic, and shows how it can illuminate current debates. This book is an invaluable resource both for scholars of Plato and for modern metaphysicians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199278442
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/05/2005
Pages:	324
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 5.50(h) x 0.73(d)

About the Author

King's College London

Table of Contents

IntroductionThe Problem of Composition1.1. Is a Whole (just) the Sum of its Parts? 1.2. Mereology or Magic? 1.3. Restrictions upon Composition? 1.4. Ontological Innocence1.5. Composition and the Problem of the One and the Many1.6. Theaetetus 203-206Composition as Identity in the Parmenides and Sophist2.1. Socrates' Puzzle: The Conversation with Zeno2.2. Two Kinds of 'Part' in the Dilemma of Participation (131a-c)2.3. Atomic Ones and Infinite Collections: The First and Second Deductions2.4. Composition: Identity or Distinctness? 2.5. Eleaticism and Ontological InnocenceA New Model of Composition3.1. Composition: A Sui Generis3.2. Unity and Structure3.3. Bare Pluralities3.4. Restrictions on CompositionComposition and Structure4.1. Two Ways of Thinking about Structure4.2. The Sophist: A First Platonic Example of Structure4.3. The Philebus: Structure and Content4.4. The Timaeus: Structures within StructuresPlato's Metaphysics of StructureBibliography, Index