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Space, Time, and (How They) Matter

A Discussion of Some Metaphysical Insights about the Nature of Space and Time Provided by Our Best Fundamental Physical Theories

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Abstract

This paper is a brief (and hopelessly incomplete) non-standard introduction to the philosophy of space and time. It is an introduction because I plan to give an overview of what I consider some of the main questions about space and time: Is space a substance over and above matter? How many dimensions does it have? Is space-time fundamental or emergent? Does time have a direction? Does time even exist? Nonetheless, this introduction is not standard because I conclude the discussion by presenting the material with an original spin, guided by a particular understanding of fundamental physical theories, the so-called primitive ontology approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, Northern Illinois University, Zulauf Hall 915, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USA

    Valia Allori

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  1. Valia Allori
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Correspondence to Valia Allori .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Podar Educational Complex, R. N. Podar (CBSE) Podar Educational Complex, Mumbai, India

    Shyam Wuppuluri

  2. Centre for Theoretical Physics, Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy

    Giancarlo Ghirardi

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Allori, V. (2017). Space, Time, and (How They) Matter. In: Wuppuluri, S., Ghirardi, G. (eds) Space, Time and the Limits of Human Understanding. The Frontiers Collection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44418-5_8

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