Types of comprising entities

pp. 81-98

in: Ariel Meirav, Wholes, sums and unities, Berlin, Springer, 2003

Abstract

An important step in the development of a theory of what I have called "controversial" comprising entities (entities designated by terms such as "class", "manifold", "collection", "aggregate", etc.) is the clear distinction between talk of the many comprised entities, on the one hand, and talk of the entity which comprises them on the other hand. It seems natural to consider the latter as simply a peculiar mode of the former, one in which the many are 'spoken of as one". Indeed, it may turn out that the comprising entity is identical to the many comprised entities. However, the question whether this is so can only be considered with clarity if our thought and talk of the former is clearly distinguished from our thought and talk of the latter.