 Much of the discussion about animalism has been concerned with the rival candidates and thinking parts problems. (See, for instance, Blatti 2016; Lowe 2001; Madden 2016a; Olson 2007: 215–19 and 2015; Parfit 2012; Yang 2015.) One line of response draws on van Inwagen’s (1990) view of composite material beings. According to van Inwagen’s answer to what he calls the “special composition question”, the only composite objects that exist are living organisms. Only a living organism unifies the particles that compose it at any given moment, on this view. Such things as “mere hunk of matter” and “right-leg complement” are gerrymandered objects. And since they are not genuine composite objects, they are neither genuine rivals nor genuine thinkers. Olson (2008: 38–42) is, however, quick to acknowledge that this riposte will be welcomed only by those antecedently persuaded of van Inwagen’s view. And proponents of the rival candidates and thinking parts problems are particularly unlikely to count among van Inwagen’s supporters.