This paper provides the first thorough assessment of a physics-based answer, the Bound State Answer (BSA), to the Special Composition Question (SCQ). According to the BSA some objects compose something if they are in a common bound state. The reasons to endorse such an answer, in particular, motivations coming from empirical adequacy and conservativeness, precision, simplicity, and parsimony, are critically addressed. I then go on to compare the BSA to other moderate answers to the SCQ and consider whether objections raised against such answers can be raised against the BSA as well. I finally relate the discussion with mereological pluralism.

The Bound State Answer to the Special Composition Question

Claudio Calosi
2022-01-01

Abstract

This paper provides the first thorough assessment of a physics-based answer, the Bound State Answer (BSA), to the Special Composition Question (SCQ). According to the BSA some objects compose something if they are in a common bound state. The reasons to endorse such an answer, in particular, motivations coming from empirical adequacy and conservativeness, precision, simplicity, and parsimony, are critically addressed. I then go on to compare the BSA to other moderate answers to the SCQ and consider whether objections raised against such answers can be raised against the BSA as well. I finally relate the discussion with mereological pluralism.
2022
89
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/5070430
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