Tasdan, Ufuk I and Thebault, Karim P Y (2023) Spacetime Conventionalism Revisited. [Preprint]

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Abstract

We provide five rearticulations of the thesis that the structure of spacetime is conventional, rather than empirically determined, based upon variation of the structures that are empirically underdetermined and modal contexts in which this underdetermination occurs. Three of the five formulations of conventionalism will be found to fail. Two are found to open up new interesting problems for researchers in the foundations of general relativity. In all five cases, our analysis explores the interplay between geometric identities, symmetry, conformal structure, and the dynamical content of physical theories with the conventionalism dialectic deployed as a tool of explication, clarification, and exploration.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Tasdan, Ufuk I iu.tasdan@bristol.ac.uk Thebault, Karim P Y karim.thebault@gmail.com
Keywords:	spacetime, conventionalism
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Conventionalism Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Logical Positivism/Logical Empiricism Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory General Issues > Structure of Theories Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User:	Dr Karim Thebault
Date Deposited:	16 May 2023 12:53
Last Modified:	16 May 2023 12:53
Item ID:	22105
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Conventionalism Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Logical Positivism/Logical Empiricism Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory General Issues > Structure of Theories Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date:	15 May 2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22105

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• Spacetime Conventionalism Revisited. (deposited 15 Feb 2023 14:29)
  • Spacetime Conventionalism Revisited. (deposited 16 May 2023 12:53) [Currently Displayed]

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