ABSTRACT
In this chapter the author argues against the widespread assumption in the literature. He referred to this ubiquitous assumption as "No Fundamental Intermediates" and formulated it as follows: No Fundamental Intermediates. The chapter defends Substantial Priority—and thus the tenability of at least some fundamental intermediate composite objects—by highlighting its theoretical utility in providing a unified solution to a variety of puzzles in material objects. Substantial Priority affords either a Monist or a pluralist solution to Goliath and Lumpl. On Substantial Priority, if lumps of bronze are composite substances, they are grounding wholes and thus metaphysically prior to each of their proper parts. The chapter examines a few of the most prominent pluralistic solutions to the puzzle that deny No Coincidence. The most common four-dimensionalist solution to the puzzle of Goliath and Lumpl is perdurantism.
