Constitution

Mark Johnston

doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199234769.003.0022

Constitution

Mark Johnston

Philosophy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Constitution, at first glance, the relation between an item and its components or parts, is a topic-neutral relation of vast generality, applying wherever the notion of complexity gets a foothold. Accordingly, it is a great mistake to restrict prematurely the scope of one's account of constitution to a few categories such as material objects and arbitrary aggregates. For one then runs the risk of misplaced generality, of mistaking idiosyncratic features of a specific category or kind of item for general principles governing the relation of constitution itself.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy
Publisher	Oxford University Press
ISBN (Electronic)	9780191577109
ISBN (Print)	9780199234769
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199234769.003.0022
State	Published - Nov 29 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

General Arts and Humanities

Keywords

Arbitrary aggregates
Constitution
Idiosyncratic features
Material objects
Misplaced generality
Topic-neutral relation

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10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199234769.003.0022

Cite this

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AB - Constitution, at first glance, the relation between an item and its components or parts, is a topic-neutral relation of vast generality, applying wherever the notion of complexity gets a foothold. Accordingly, it is a great mistake to restrict prematurely the scope of one's account of constitution to a few categories such as material objects and arbitrary aggregates. For one then runs the risk of misplaced generality, of mistaking idiosyncratic features of a specific category or kind of item for general principles governing the relation of constitution itself.

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KW - Idiosyncratic features

KW - Material objects

KW - Misplaced generality

KW - Topic-neutral relation

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BT - The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy

PB - Oxford University Press

ER -

Constitution

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

Access to Document

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