Philosophy 100, Fall 2006					

Material Constitution Handout 1



Definition:  x and y are coincident objects =df. x and y are in the same place at the same time and x is not identical to y.


An Argument for the existence of coincident objects, based on the parable of the statue and the clay:


Part 1:

	1.	The statue did not exist on Thursday and the lump of clay did exist on 
		Thursday.

	2.	If the statue did not exist on Thursday, and the lump of clay did exist 
		on Thursday, then the statue is not identical to the lump of clay.

	3.	Therefore, the statue is not identical to the lump of clay.
	
	
Part 2:

	1.	The statue and the lump of clay occupy the same place on Friday.

	2.	The statue is not identical to the lump of clay.
	
	3. 	If the statue and the lump of clay are in the same place on Friday, and 	
		the statue is not identical to the lump of clay, then the statue and the 
		lump of clay are coincident objects.

	4.	Therefore, the statue and the lump of clay are coincident objects.
	
	

The Just Matter Theory (JM):

	Material objects X and Y are identical if and only if they have exactly the 
	same parts.



An Argument Against (JM) based on Socrates' Decay:

	1.	If (JM) is true, then Socrates still exists today.
	
	2.	Socrates does not exist today.

	3.	Therefore, (JM) is false.
	
	

The Take-Over Theory (TO):

	*	Every material object is of exactly one sort (statue, lump of clay, cell 
		phone,...)

	*	For every sort S, a material object is of sort S if and only if its 
		parts are arranged [fill in the blank]
		
		
		
An argument against the existence of coincident objects:		
		
		
	1.	If the statue and the clay are coincident objects, then the statue 
		is more delicate than the clay.
		
	2.	The statue is not more delicate than the clay.
	
	3.	Therefore, the statue and the clay are not coincident objects.