Abstract
In metaphysics, fundamentality is a central theme involving debates on the nature of existents, as wholes. These debates are largely object-oriented in their standpoint and engage with composites or wholes through the mereological notion of compositionality. The ontological significance of the parts overrides that of wholes since the existence and identity of the latter are dependent on that of the former. Broadly, the candidates for fundamental entities are considered to be elementary particles of modern physics (since they appear to play the role of ultimate parts to all phenomena). The paper intends to show the inadequacy of the object-oriented notion of conditionality by pointing out that the parts and wholes possess varying conditions of existence. By alleging that only the parts are ontologically significant is to conflate such conditions and neglect the spectrum of conditions which exist in our world. A proposal for a revised notion of compositionality in terms of structural relatedness is also put forward.
Highlights
IntroductionOne of the significant themes is that of fundamentalityi
In contemporary metaphysics, one of the significant themes is that of fundamentalityi
Compositionality in terms of Structural Relatedness Consider the following notion of compositionality: Compositionality in terms of Structural Relatedness (CSR): An existent x is a structure S composed of components [C1, C2, C3...Cn]: S {C1, C2, C3...Cn} such that x forms the environment within which the components can sustain their internal structure and relational properties
Summary
One of the significant themes is that of fundamentalityi. The predominant characterisation of fundamentality is in terms of ontological independence. Barring the few contemporary theories of fundamentality which preserve composites as significant inhabitants of their ontology, the prevalent understanding of the three forms of fundamentality posit ultimate independent entities from which the composites are derived. Fundamentality usually takes the form of fundamental entities or a fundamental level of reality. Entities which are fundamental or which constitute the fundamental level of reality are ontologically independent and compose all other entities. This is the standpoint of object-oriented realism in contemporary metaphysics (Thalos, 2011)
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