The Shape of SpaceCambridge University Press, 04.08.1994 - 308 Seiten This is a revised and updated edition of Graham Nerlich's classic book (1976). It develops a metaphysical account of space that treats it as a real and concrete entity, showing that shape plays a key explanatory role in space and spacetime theories. Arguing that geometrical explanation is very like causal explanation, Professor Nerlich prepares the ground for philosophical argument and investigates how different spaces would affect perception differently. Along the way Professor Nerlich criticizes and rejects conventionalism as a non-realist metaphysics of space, concluding that there is, in fact, no problem of underdetermination for this aspect of spacetime theories, while offering an extensive discussion of the relativity of motion. |
Inhalt
Space and spatial relations | 11 |
Mediated spatial relations | 18 |
On understanding | 28 |
Seeing places and travelling paths | 36 |
Hands knees and absolute space | 44 |
Unmediated handedness | 61 |
Euclidean and other shapes | 69 |
Geometrical structures in space and spacetime | 89 |
An outline of criticisms | 200 |
Dividing discrete and continuous spaces | 203 |
Discrete intervals and sets of grains | 204 |
Grünbaum and the simple objection | 206 |
Measurement and physical law | 207 |
Inscribing structures on spacetime | 212 |
The relativity of motion | 219 |
Newtons mechanics | 222 |
Vectors 1forms and tensors | 100 |
An analytical picture of affine structure | 107 |
The aims of conventionalism | 139 |
Some general criticisms of conventionalism | 160 |
The special problem of topology | 172 |
The problem of universal forces | 176 |
Summing up | 177 |
Reichenbachs treatment of topology | 180 |
avoid causal anomalies | 183 |
a vague distinction | 187 |
the torus | 188 |
convention and dimension | 192 |
fact or convention? | 195 |
The conventionalist theory of continuous and discrete spaces | 196 |
classical mechanics after Newton | 225 |
classical mechanics as geometrical explanation | 229 |
the idea of variant properties | 233 |
a geometric account of variant properties | 244 |
The relativity of motion in SR | 248 |
Simultaneity and convention in SR | 251 |
The Clock Paradox and relative motion | 254 |
the geometry of slowing clocks | 257 |
The failure of kinematic relativity in flat spacetime | 263 |
What GR is all about | 268 |
models of GR | 272 |
| 279 | |
| 287 | |
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Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen
absolute angle argue argument axioms causal chapter claim classical mechanics clock concept contractible space conventional conventionalism conventionalist cross-ratio curvature curve defined direction discrete space distance Earman enantiomorphic Euclidean geometry Euclidean space example explanation F₁ F₂ fact factual finite force Gaussian curvature geodesics global topology grains Grünbaum hand idea inertial frames intersect interval intrinsic intuitive invariant Kant Kant's kinematical knee Leibniz length light light cone linear lines look means mediated metaphysical metrical geometry Minkowski spacetime Möbius strip move Newton's non-Euclidean objects observation ontological parallel particles path perception philosophical physical picture plane principle privileged language projective geometry properties question redescription region Reichenbach rela relationism relationist relativity of motion rest role sense shape of space shell simply spacetime spatial relations Special Relativity speed sphere spherical structure Suppose surface tangent tensor theory things three-space tion transformation two-space vector visual worldline
Verweise auf dieses Buch
Uneven Development: Nature, Capital, and the Production of Space Neil Smith Eingeschränkte Leseprobe - 2010 |
Society, Action and Space: An Alternative Human Geography Benno Werlen Keine Leseprobe verfügbar - 1993 |