2014•NoûsOpen access

Does Universalism Entail Extensionalism?

A. J. Cotnoir

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Abstract

Abstract Does a commitment to mereological universalism automatically bring along a commitment to the controversial doctrine of mereologicalextensionalism—the view that objects with the same proper parts are identical? A recent argument suggests the answer is ‘yes’. This paper attempts a systematic response to the argument, considering nearly every available line of reply. It argues that only one approach—themutual partsview—can yield a viable mereology where universalism does not entail extensionalism.

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Abstract Does a commitment to mereological universalism automatically bring along a commitment to the controversial doctrine of mereologicalextensionalism—the view that objects with the same proper parts are identical? A recent argument suggests the answer is ‘yes’. This paper attempts a systematic response to the argument, considering nearly every available line of reply. It argues that only one approach—themutual partsview—can yield a viable mereology where universalism does not entail extensionalism.

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Available abstract

Abstract Does a commitment to mereological universalism automatically bring along a commitment to the controversial doctrine of mereologicalextensionalism—the view that objects with the same proper parts are identical? A recent argument suggests the answer is ‘yes’. This paper attempts a systematic response to the argument, considering nearly every available line of reply. It argues that only one approach—themutual partsview—can yield a viable mereology where universalism does not entail extensionalism.

Key concepts: Universalism, Mereology, Argument (complex analysis), Epistemology, Doctrine, Philosophy, Law, Political science

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