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Does Universalism Entail Extensionalism?
Author(s) -
Cotnoir A. J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
noûs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.574
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1468-0068
pISSN - 0029-4624
DOI - 10.1111/nous.12063
Subject(s) - universalism , mereology , argument (complex analysis) , epistemology , doctrine , philosophy , law , political science , theology , biochemistry , chemistry , politics
Does a commitment to mereological universalism automatically bring along a commitment to the controversial doctrine of mereological extensionalism —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—the mutual parts view—can yield a viable mereology where universalism does not entail extensionalism.