Slowik, Edward (2011) A Pre-History of Quantum Gravity: The Seventeenth Century Legacy and the Deep Metaphysics of Space beyond Substantivalism and Relationism. In: [2010] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 22nd Biennial Mtg (Montréal, QC).
Abstract
This essay demonstrates the inadequacy of contemporary substantivalist and relationist interpretations of quantum gravity hypotheses via an historical investigation of the debate on the underlying ontology of space in the seventeenth century. Viewed in the proper context, there are crucial similarities between seventeenth century theories of space and contemporary work on the ontological foundations of spacetime theories, and these similarities challenge the utility of the substantival/relational dichotomy by revealing a host of underlying conceptual issues that do not naturally align with that distinction.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|
| Additional Information: | This is later version of a paper originally given at the PSA meeting in Montreal, Nov. 2010. |
|---|
| Keywords: | space, spacetime, substantivalism, relationism, quantum gravity, Newton, Leibniz, Gassendi, Descartes |
|---|
| Subjects: | General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
|---|
| Conferences and Volumes: | [2010] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 22nd Biennial Mtg (Montréal, QC) |
|---|
| Depositing User: | Edward Slowik |
|---|
| Date Deposited: | 01 Dec 2011 11:27 |
|---|
| Last Modified: | 01 Dec 2011 11:27 |
|---|
| Item ID: | 8924 |
|---|
| URI: | http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8924 |
|---|
Actions (login required)
![[img]](http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png)
![[feed]](http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/style/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}