Sereda, Kyle (2012) Was Leibniz the First Spacetime Structuralist? In: [2012] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 23rd Biennial Mtg (San Diego, CA) > PSA 2012 Contributed Papers.
Abstract
I argue that the standard interpretation of Leibniz as a relationist about space is mistaken, and defend a reading according to which his correspondence with Samuel Clarke actually suggests that Leibniz holds a view closely resembling modern spacetime structuralism. I distinguish my proposal from Belot's recent reading of Leibniz as a modal relationist, arguing for the superiority of my reading based on the Clarke correspondence and on Leibniz's conception of God's relation to the created world. I note a tension between my proposal and Leibniz's ontology, and suggest that a solution is forthcoming and worth pursuing.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED) |
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| Keywords: | Leibniz, Clarke, Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence, Belot, space, spacetime structuralism, relationism, modal relationism, substantivalism, structural realism, ontic structural realism |
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| Subjects: | General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism |
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| Conferences and Volumes: | [2012] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 23rd Biennial Mtg (San Diego, CA) > PSA 2012 Contributed Papers |
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| Depositing User: | Mr. Kyle Sereda |
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| Date Deposited: | 15 Oct 2012 09:12 |
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| Last Modified: | 15 Oct 2012 09:12 |
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| Item ID: | 9370 |
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| URI: | http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9370 |
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