The Whole-Part Dilemma: A Compositional Understanding of Plato's Theory of Forms

In this paper, I suggest a way of resolving the whole-part dilemma suggested in the Parmenides. Specifically, I argue that grab-bing the second horn of the dilemma does not pose a significant chal-lenge. To argue for this, I consider two theses about Forms, namely, the oneness and indivisibility theses. More specifically, I argue that the second horn does not violate the oneness thesis if we treat com-position as identity and that the indivisibility thesis ought to be re-interpreted given Plato's later dialogues. By doing so, I suggest a compositional understanding of Plato's theory of Forms, which can resolve the whole-part dilemma.