Overview
- Presents a new approach to the ontology of space
- Examines theories of space from the Early Modern period
- Analyzes the relationship between seventeenth century theories of space and current investigations in quantum gravity
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: European Studies in Philosophy of Science (ESPS)
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Table of contents (11 chapters)
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Substantivalism and Relationism Versus Newton and Leibniz
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Third-Way Spatial Ontologies: Past and Present
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The Deep Metaphysics of Space from the Seventeenth Century to Quantum Gravity
Keywords
- Philosophy Space
- Substantivalism Relationism
- Spacetime Ontology
- Scientific Realism
- structural realism
- Newton
- Leibniz
- inadequacies spacetime
- critique spacetime
- history spacetime
- ontology space
- seventeenth century spacetime
- critique substantivalism
- critique relationism
- quantum gravity
- critique newton
- critique leibniz
About this book
This volume explores the inadequacies of the two standard conceptions of space or spacetime, substantivalism and relationism, and in the process, proposes a new historical interpretation of these physical theories. This book also examines and develops alternative ontological conceptions of space, and explores additional historical elements of seventeenth century theories and other metaphysical themes.
The author first discusses the two main opposing theories of the ontology of space. One, known as substantivalism, proposes space to be an entity that can exist independently of material things. The other, relationism, contends that space is a relation among material things. Readers will learn about specific problems with this dichotomy. First, Newton and Leibniz are often upheld as the retrospective forerunners of substantivalism and relationism. But, their work often contradicts the central tenets of these views. Second, these theories have proven problematic when transferred to a modern setting, especially with regards to general relativity and the recent quantum gravity hypotheses.
The author details an alternative set of concepts that address these problems. The author also develops a new classificational system that provides a more accurate taxonomy for the elements of all spatial ontologies. This classification obtains successful analogies between Newton, Leibniz, and other naturalphilosophers with contemporary physical theories.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The Deep Metaphysics of Space
Book Subtitle: An Alternative History and Ontology Beyond Substantivalism and Relationism
Authors: Edward Slowik
Series Title: European Studies in Philosophy of Science
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44868-8
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2016
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-44867-1Published: 21 October 2016
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-83153-4Published: 28 June 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-44868-8Published: 12 October 2016
Series ISSN: 2365-4228
Series E-ISSN: 2365-4236
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXIV, 342
Topics: Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics, History of Science