Location and Existence

Abstract

The first step in the genesis of the most primitive space and time concepts will be to show that certain elementary principles of logic generate the basic topography for both space and time, that is the basic structure of the set of relations we call “space” and “time,” with the help of some very simple empirical assumptions. As a first step we are to suppose that we are given an individual called “a” and a property ascribed by the use of the predicate “F.” Let us consider all possible cases of qualitative and numerical identity. Let us suppose that our wordly experience requires us to assert a proposition which has the form ‘Fa and not-Fa’. If we adhere to the principle of noncontradiction, this assertion requires to be remedied. (Does this imply that space-times are differently constituted for intuitionist or quantum logic? I think that it must do so, though I shall not explore that issue here.) It can be remedied in two ways.