In fact, Whitehead describes any entity as in some sense nothing more and nothing less than the sum of its relations to other entities – its synthesis of and reaction to the world around it. A real thing is just that which forces the rest of the universe to in some way conform to it; that is to say, if theoretically a thing made strictly no difference to any other entity (i.e. it was not related to any other entity), it could not be said to really exist. Relations are not secondary to what a thing is, they are what the thing is. COUNT 9
QSN1 How does Whitehead characterize anything that exists? ANS1 in some sense nothing more and nothing less than the sum of its relations to other entities – its synthesis of and reaction to the world around it QSN2 How does he describe what makes something real? ANS2 A real thing is just that which forces the rest of the universe to in some way conform to it QSN3 In Whitehead's thinking, what could be said about something that has no effect on any other person or object? ANS3 if theoretically a thing made strictly no difference to any other entity (i.e. it was not related to any other entity), it could not be said to really exist QSN4 What did Whitehead believe about the concept of relations in the context of defining an entity? ANS4 Relations are not secondary to what a thing is, they are what the thing is. QSN5 Whitehead believes any entity is in some sense what? ANS5 nothing more and nothing less than the sum of its relations to other entities QSN6 If an object made no difference to any other entity, what could be said about it? ANS6 not be said to really exist. QSN7 If relations are not secondary to what a thing is, what is it? ANS7 they are what the thing is QSN8 What makes up the sum of relations to an entity? ANS8 rld around it QSN9 A real object forces the universe to do what? ANS9 in some way conform to it