Essentialism and dependence: Modal and non-modal Mereolgies

Type :

Term papers

Pages :

5 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

09/28/2009

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Humanities/philosophy

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Summary :

Introduction
Definition of modality and non-modalities
Understanding the facility of a modal mereology
Identifying the essential parts through mereology
Understanding ontological dependence
1. Modality as the basis for ontological dependence
The issue of notional dependence
Problems in the usage of qua parts
Conclusion

Abstract

In the study of Ontology, and more specifically the study of mereology, essentialism and dependence, or ontological dependence, are perennial issues, which pop up. In the case of the former issue, essentialism, this is merely the study of the essence of an ontological object. In the case of the latter, dependence, this is the issue of if, and how, an object is dependent on another object for its existence, either ontologically or logically. Numerous subsequent issues naturally appear as a result of asking the questions of a thing's essence and its dependence on other objects in reality for its existence. In short, there are two approaches, which one can take in order to wrestle with the questions that essentialism and dependence ask. These various approaches are seen as being modal and non-modal in nature. What will be done here in this paper is a brief look at the modal and non-modal theories of essentialism and dependence. In order to understand the debate as to what approach is the best, and thus most appropriate, one must understand the inherent contrariety that exists between modality and non-modality as concerning mereology.