The spatially restricted theory of composition

Abstract

Determining when some xs compose a y provides the answer to the Special Composition Question. There are three types of possible answers: always, sometimes, never. All of the competing views fall into one of these three categories. I present these competing theories, and explain the advantages and objections to each, and in the cases of those falling into the “always”, and “never” categories explain why the categories cannot provide a satisfactory response. Then I present my own answer to the Special Composition Question and show that it is not vulnerable to the objections the competitor theories cannot overcome. I also present a novel solution to the General Composition Question.