A + B = C

In order to judge whether Vern’s Volvo is the one he’s been driving for 20 years, or the heap of old parts, we must first define what Vern’s Volvo means. The easiest way of doing this would be to define the two terms separately. Only if the object, or group of objects, fulfills the definition of both terms can it be called Vern’s Volvo.

First we will investigate the term “Vern’s.” This term is a possessive, indicating that Vern is the possessor. From the standpoint of purely ownership, the car that Vern drives is his. When he pays Grace to replace a part in his car, the new part is now his, and the old part is Grace’s. Beyond that, however, it is clear that Vern believes he owns the car he has been driving for twenty years. In his mind, the car he is driving is the same car that he bought two decades before.

Next we can investigate the term “Volvo.” In this context, “Volvo” refers to an automobile made by the company Volvo, not the company itself. So, we must define what an automobile is. If we look at the construction of an automobile, it begins with the fabrication of parts. These parts are then assembled according to precise instructions to create a single, final product. In order for something to be considered an automobile, it must fulfill both steps; a collection of parts is not an automobile without assembly, and assembly is not possible without all the parts.

From these two definitions, it is clear that the car Vern has been driving for the past twenty years is in fact his car. He is both the owner of the object, and the object can be defined as an automobile. Conversely, the heap of parts is no longer Vern’s, nor can it accurately be considered an automobile.