Indian Philosophy v2.c25.s2.30

v2.c25.s2.30

Regarding the question of whole (avayavi) and part (avayava), Prabhākara believes that the whole is an object of perception. Objects as wholes exist. It is not necessary for us to perceive all the parts before the whole is perceived. If we take any physical object, atoms are the material cause of it, and their conjunction is the immaterial cause which gives the whole its uniqueness. Kumārila believes that the whole and the parts are identical, and it depends on our standpoint whether we regard an object as a whole or a number of parts.¹