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  1. Home
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  3. The Shape of Space
  • Cited by 52
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
December 2009
Print publication year:
1994
Online ISBN:
9780511621130
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511621130
Subjects:
Physics and Astronomy, Philosophy of Science, History, Philosophy and Foundations of Physics, Philosophy
Information

Book description

This is a revised and updated edition of Graham Nerlich's classic book The Shape of Space. It develops a metaphysical account of space which treats it as a real and concrete entity. In particular, it shows that the shape of space 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, using a number of novel examples, investigates how different spaces would affect perception differently. This leads naturally to conventionalism as a non-realist metaphysics of space, an account which Professor Nerlich criticises, rejecting its Kantian and positivistic roots along with Reichenbach's famous claim that even the topology of space is conventional. He concludes that there is, in fact, no problem of underdetermination for this aspect of spacetime theories, and offers an extensive discussion of the relativity of motion.

Reviews

‘A fresh - and much needed - realistic perspective to the philosophy of space.’

Source: Philosophia

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