more on this theme     |     more from this thinker     |     more from this text


Single Idea 15844

[filed under theme 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / c. Wholes from parts ]

Full Idea

But this sum now - isn't it just when there is nothing lacking that it is a sum? Yes, necessarily. And won't this very same thing - that from which nothing is lacking - be a whole?

Gist of Idea

A sum is that from which nothing is lacking, which is a whole

Source

Plato (Theaetetus [c.368 BCE], 205a)

Book Ref

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.227


A Reaction

This seems to be right, be rather too vague and potentially circular to be of much use. What is the criterion for deciding that nothing is lacking?

email your comments