HUSSERLIAN PREGNANT WHOLES AS AN ONTOLOGICAL CRITERION FOR INDIVIDUALS AND OBJECTS*

Authors

  • Carlo Conni

Abstract

The first part of this work intends to give a general survey of some theories current in the fields of ontology and mereology dealing with the well-known problem of whole-parts relations. Some hints about the philosophical consequences of these positions concerning the problem of identity will be given. In the conclusive part of the article I will focus on a specific identity criterion defining the Cartesian notion of substance in order to distinguish in ontological-formal terms individuals from objects. More specifically, it seems that the differents notions of pregnant whole of Husserl’s “Third Logical Investigation” can single out the formal parthood structure of certain kinds of entities, typically living beings, from that of material artifacts or objects.

Author Biography

Carlo Conni

Saint Raphael University of Milan, Italy

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