Philosophy Colloquium: Paul Audi (University of Rochester)
Prof. Paul Audi (University of Rochester), will present: “Composites: Mere Aggregates or Emergent Wholes?” on Friday, December 18, from 2:00-4:00. All are welcome to attend.
Abstract:
I argue that the standard conception of composition is unstable; certain aspects inherent in that conception strain against each other. Some aspects push toward the view that would-be composites are mere aggregates, not true wholes. Other aspects push toward the view that would-be composites are wholes, but emergent from—rather than composed by—their would-be parts. The essential aspects of the conception are the following: that composites are units; that they are no addition of being to their parts, and that they inherit their properties from their parts.