Metaphysics · The existence of composite objects

Mereological nihilism

There are no composite objects; only things without proper parts exist.

What it claims

Mereological nihilism denies that two or more things ever compose a further object. It answers the special composition question—when do many things make one?—with “never.” On the standard simple-based version, only partless simples exist. Strictly speaking, there is no table; there are simples arranged tablewise.

Nearby positions

Goes together with
NominalismPhysicalism

Key thinkers

Peter Unger · Peter van Inwagen · Trenton Merricks · Cian Dorr