Nominalism and The Structure of Reality: Spacetime-Region-Restricted Mereology

Sammanfattning

In this paper, I develop the spacetime-region-restricted view of mereology (SRR), according to which composition is restricted to spacetime regions. Guided by parsimony, I argue that if nominalism is conceptually possible, it requires a primitive notion capable of accounting for the intrinsic structure of spacetime. I propose that this role is best played by the primitive relation of parthood, without assuming that it is unrestricted. Accordingly, I sketch a first-order axiomatization intended to capture the basic structure of spacetime, formally supporting quantification over spacetime as a whole and all its parts. On this basis, I offer an account of material content, understood as physical properties of spacetime regions, and how it is individuated and located. Finally, I discuss the status of prima facie material objects and situate SRR relative to alternative proposals.