The Spatially Restricted Theory of Composition by Richard Ksiazek A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Philosophy University of Manitoba Winnipeg © 2011 Richard Ksiazek The Spatially Restricted Theory of Composition by Richard Ksiazek Abstract Determining when some xs compose a y provides the answer to the Special Composition Question. There are three types of possible answers: always, sometimes, never. All of the competing views fall into one of these three categories. I present these competing theories, and explain the advantages and objections to each, and in the cases of those falling into the “always”, and “never” categories explain why the categories cannot provide a satisfactory response. Then I present my own answer to the Special Composition Question and show that it is not vulnerable to the objections the competitor theories cannot overcome. I also present a novel solution to the General Composition Question. i Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................. i Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ ii Glossary ............................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1 - Introduction .......................................................................................... 11 Abstract/Concrete Distinction ............................................................................... 13 Summary of Project ......................................................................................................... 15 Ship of Theseus ............................................................................................................ 15 The Statue and The Clay............................................................................................. 17 Problem of the Arbitrariness of Undetached Parts ................................................ 18 Problem of the Many (Unger, 1980) ......................................................................... 19 Chapter 2 - Nihilism ..................................................................................................... 22 Entailments of Mereological Nihilism ................................................................. 22 No Composite Objects ............................................................................................... 22 Advantages .................................................................................................................... 24 Ship of Theseus ............................................................................................................ 24 The Statue and the Clay .............................................................................................. 24 Problem of the Arbitrariness of Undetached Parts ................................................ 25 Problem of the Many .................................................................................................. 27 Metaphyscial Vagueness ............................................................................................. 28 Material Beings ............................................................................................................. 28 Van Inwagen’s Life Proposal (VLP) ......................................................................... 29 Ship of Theseus ............................................................................................................ 30 Statue and Clay ............................................................................................................. 30 Problem of the Arbitrariness of Undetached Parts ................................................ 31 ii Problem of the Many .................................................................................................. 33 Objections to VLP ........................................................................................................ 34 Entails Metaphysical Vagueness ................................................................................ 34 Gunk .............................................................................................................................. 36 Composition as Fiction .............................................................................................. 38 Monism ............................................................................................................................ 39 Sider’s Objection to Monism ..................................................................................... 40 Chapter 3 - Universalism ......................................................................................... 42 Unrestricted Mereological Composition ....................................................................... 42 Four Dimensionalism.................................................................................................. 43 Mereolgical Essentialism ............................................................................................. 44 Relative Identity ........................................................................................................... 44 Ship of Theseus ............................................................................................................ 45 The Puzzle of the Statue and the Clay ...................................................................... 46 Problem of the Arbitrariness of Undetached Parts ................................................ 48 Problem of the Many .................................................................................................. 49 Objectionable Consequence ........................................................................................... 52 Chapter 4 - Restricted Composition .................................................................. 53 Contact ............................................................................................................................. 53 Contact Composition .................................................................................................. 53 Objections ..................................................................................................................... 53 Fastenation ..................................................................................................................... 54 Weak Fastenation ........................................................................................................ 55 n-Fastenation ................................................................................................................ 55 Weak Fastenation with Degrees. ............................................................................... 56 iii Brutal Composition ..................................................................................................... 56 Brutal Composition ..................................................................................................... 56 Ship of Theseus ............................................................................................................ 57 Statue and Clay ............................................................................................................. 57 Problem of the Arbitrariness of Undetached Parts ................................................ 58 Problem of the Many .................................................................................................. 58 Serial Response ............................................................................................................. 59 Multifactor Approach ................................................................................................ 60 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 62 Chapter 5 - Physically Restricted Composition ........................................... 63 The Case for Science in Mereology ....................................................................... 63 Scientific Background ................................................................................................. 64 The Physically Restricted Theory of Composition .......................................... 68 Problem of the Arbitrariness of Undetached Parts ................................................ 72 Problem of the Many (Unger, 1980) ......................................................................... 74 Objections ......................................................................................................................... 76 Gunk – Not a Problem ............................................................................................... 77 The Truths of Science are Contingent .......................................................................... 78 Nails, Screws, and Friction ............................................................................................. 79 Biology ............................................................................................................................... 80 Chapter 6 - Spatially Restricted Composition .............................................. 82 Advantages .......................................................................................................................