What is mereological nihilism?

Mereological nihilism is a philosophical position regarding the nature of objects and their parts. Specifically, it asserts that there are no composite objects; in other words, any object that we might consider to be a "whole" is ultimately just a collection of its parts, and there are no entities that exist independently of their parts. Mereological nihilists argue that what we think of as "objects," like tables, chairs, or even living beings, do not possess a distinct existence apart from the smaller parts that compose them. Instead, they believe that only the fundamental, indivisible parts (often understood as particles or simple entities) exist, and that believing in the existence of larger wholes is a kind of conceptual error or a useful fiction rather than a reflection of reality. This position contrasts with mereological universalism, which holds that any collection of objects can be considered a whole. Mereological nihilism raises interesting questions about ontology (the study of existence) and challenges our intuitive understanding of objects and their relationships. It is often discussed in the context of metaphysical debates about the nature of reality and the relationship between parts and wholes. Update (2025-10-29): Mereological nihilism is a philosophical position in the domain of metaphysics that holds that there are no composite objects—that is, objects that are made up of smaller parts. Instead, mereological nihilists assert that only simple, indivisible entities exist. According to this view, what we commonly think of as "things" (like chairs, trees, or even humans) do not actually exist as independent entities. Instead, they are merely collections or arrangements of simpler parts. For example, a table is not seen as an object in its own right but rather as a collection of atoms or particles. Mereological nihilism challenges common intuitions about the nature of objects and their parts, raising questions about the meaning and status of composite objects and how we perceive the physical world. This position is often contrasted with mereological universalism, which holds that any collection of objects, no matter how disparate, constitutes a composite object. The debate between these views revolves around the existence and significance of parts and wholes in our understanding of reality.