Can Spacetime Help Settle Any Issues in Modern Philosophy?

Huggett, Nick (2006) Can Spacetime Help Settle Any Issues in Modern Philosophy?.

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Abstract

This paper has two goals. (i) I explore the limits of the mathematical theory of spacetime (more generally, differential geometry) as an analytical tool for interpreting early modern thought. While it dramatically clarifies some issues, it can also lead to misunderstandings of some figures, and is a very poor tool indeed for others - Leibniz in particular. (ii) I will show how to blunt a very influential argument against a relational conception of spacetime - the view that the properties and relations of bodies exhaust the spatiotemporal.

Keywords:	Newton, Stein, Leibniz, Earman, substantivalism, relativity, relationism, motion, scholium
Subjects:	Specific Sciences: Physics: Classical Physics General Issues: History of Philosophy of Science Specific Sciences: Physics
ID Code:	3085
Deposited By:	Huggett, Nick
Deposited On:	09 December 2006
Additional Information:	This paper was presented at the NYU Issues in Modern Philosophy Conference, November 10-11 2006.