Plato on Parts and Wholes The Metaphysics of Structure [Paperback]

What is the relation between a whole and its parts? The metaphysics of structure and composition is much discussed in modern philosophy; now Verity Harte provides the first sustained examination of Plato's rich but neglected discussion of the topic, and shows how it can illuminate current debates. This book is an invaluable resource both for scholars of Plato and for modern metaphysicians.

Introduction
The Problem of Composition
1.1. Is a Whole (just) the Sum of its Parts?
1.2. Mereology or Magic?
1.3. Restrictions upon Composition?
1.4. Ontological Innocence
1.5. Composition and the Problem of the One and the Many
1.6.Theaetetus203-206
Composition as Identity in theParmenidesandSophist
2.1. Socrates' Puzzle: The Conversation with Zeno
2.2. Two Kinds of 'Part' in the Dilemma of Participation (131a-c)
2.3. Atomic Ones and Infinite Collections: The First and Second Deductions
2.4. Composition: Identity or Distinctness?
2.5. Eleaticism and Ontological Innocence
A New Model of Composition
3.1. Composition: ASui Generis
3.2. Unity and Structure
3.3. Bare Pluralities
3.4. Restrictions on Composition
Composition and Structure
4.1. Two Ways of Thinking about Structure
4.2. TheSophist: A First Platonic Example of Structure
4.3. ThePhilebus: Structure and Content
4.4. TheTimaeus: Structures within Structures
Plato's Metaphysics of Structure
Bibliography, Index