The Relation between Parts and Wholes
This chapter discusses the theory of parts and wholes as it applies to Boyle’s concept of chymical atoms, from which chemical properties emerge as “novel” and supervenient properties. The chapter begins by arguing that Boyle’s chemistry is mereological by virtue of positing aggregate corpuscles as chemical wholes. To set the background for this discussion, the chapter examines the mereological distinction between continuous vs. contiguous integral wholes and between integral parts and essential parts of such wholes. The chapter then compares and contrasts the views of Aquinas, Abelard, and Boyle and argues that, contrary to claims made by other scholars, Boyle’s chemical mereology is neither similar nor comparable to the Abelardian theory. The chapter then analyzes the mereology of chymical atoms that is implied by the emergentist position being attributed to Boyle, closing with a suggestive analogy drawn by Boyle himself between the mereology chymical atoms and that of linguistic expressions.