Scientific article
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English

The Bound State Answer to the Special Composition Question

ContributorsCalosi, Claudio
Published inPhilosophy of science, vol. 89, no. 3, p. 486-503
Publication date2022-07
First online date2022-01-12
Abstract

This paper provides the first thorough assessment of a physics-based answer, the Bound State Answer (BSA), to the Special Composition Question (SCQ). According to the BSA some objects compose something if they are in a common bound state. The reasons to endorse such an answer, in particular, motivations coming from empirical adequacy and conservativeness, precision, simplicity, and parsimony, are critically addressed. I then go on to compare the BSA to other moderate answers to the SCQ and consider whether objections raised against such answers can be raised against the BSA as well. I finally relate the discussion with mereological pluralism.

Citation (ISO format)
CALOSI, Claudio. The Bound State Answer to the Special Composition Question. In: Philosophy of science, 2022, vol. 89, n° 3, p. 486–503. doi: 10.1017/psa.2021.33
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Journal ISSN0031-8248
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