The Theoretical Foundations of Part–Whole Relations and Their Significance

Abstract

This article examines the theoretical foundations of part–whole relations within the frameworks of formal mereology and linguistic meronymy. Particular attention is given to the logical properties of part–whole relations, including transitivity, asymmetry, and hierarchical organization. The study also analyzes structural and functional criteria that distinguish genuine parts from arbitrary fragments. By comparing formal logical approaches with cognitive and linguistic perspectives, the research demonstrates that human conceptualization plays a crucial role in interpreting part–whole relations. The findings suggest that although formal mereological models provide logical precision, they cannot fully capture the complexity of human cognitive processes. Therefore, an integrated approach combining formal and cognitive perspectives is essential for understanding part–whole structures in language, knowledge organization, and ontology design.