Composition as Trans-Scalar Identity

Abstract We define mereologically invariant composition as the relation between a whole object and its parts when the object retains the same parts during a time interval. We argue that mereologically invariant composition is identity between a whole and its parts taken collectively. Our reason is that parts and wholes are equivalent measurements of a portion of reality at different scales in the precise sense employed by measurement theory. The purpose of these scales is the numerical representation of primitive relations between quantities of being. To show this, we prove representation and uniqueness theorems for composition. We conclude that mereologically invariant composition is trans-scalar identity.

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Publication Details

Journal
Acta Analytica
Published
2025-06-07
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12136-025-00645-3
Primary Topic
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Composition as Trans-Scalar Identity

Waldemar Rohloff, Alexander Schumm, Gualtiero Piccinini
Acta Analytica
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
article

Composition as Trans-Scalar Identity

Waldemar Rohloff, Alexander Schumm, Gualtiero Piccinini
article en

Abstract

Abstract We define mereologically invariant composition as the relation between a whole object and its parts when the object retains the same parts during a time interval. We argue that mereologically invariant composition is identity between a whole and its parts taken collectively. Our reason is that parts and wholes are equivalent measurements of a portion of reality at different scales in the precise sense employed by measurement theory. The purpose of these scales is the numerical representation of primitive relations between quantities of being. To show this, we prove representation and uniqueness theorems for composition. We conclude that mereologically invariant composition is trans-scalar identity.

Acta Analytica
University of Missouri–St. Louis (US), University of Missouri (US)
National Science Foundation, University of Missouri
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 100%
Philosophy and Theoretical Science
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