ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book explores the topic of fundamental mereology, the question of how mereological and metaphysical structure comes together in the domain of concrete material beings. Against the contemporary tide that ascribes fundamentality exclusively to either the maximally small or the maximally large, the author argues for the tenability of including within the domain of fundamental beings at least some intermediate, composite objects, living organisms and human persons being prime candidates. The book argues that Substantial Priority is a fundamental mereology that is worthy of consideration by those with neo-Aristotelian sympathies. Lastly, Substantial Priority is empirically adequate with respect to total science. All in all, Substantial Priority is defensible and is, by standard measures for evaluating metaphysical models, worth taking seriously.
