Vassallo, Antonio (2026) Relationalism about Space and Time: Revisiting an Unfinished Revolution. [Preprint]

Text Unfinished Revolution Final.pdf Download (171kB)

Abstract

This essay revisits the Leibnizian/Machian tradition of relationalism in light of recent developments in physics and metaphysics. While historically dismissed as conceptually elegant but technically deficient, relationalism has re-emerged as a viable foundation for fundamental physics through the advent of pure shape dynamics and the metaphysics of self-subsisting structures. These approaches address longstanding philosophical and physical challenges concerning empirical adequacy, the reconstruction of physical magnitudes, and the grounding of dynamical laws. By re-examining the trajectory of relationalist thought and clarifying how recent proposals fulfill its core ambitions, the essay presents a case for the renewed relevance of relationalism in foundational research.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Vassallo, Antonio antonio.vassallo1977@gmail.com 0000-0002-1846-5362
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in E. Jung, J. Papiernik, and B. Żukowski (eds.), "Overlooked Revolutions in Natural Philosophy: The Forgotten Giants," Springer.
Keywords:	Relationalism; pure shape dynamics; self-subsisting structures.
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics
Depositing User:	Antonio Vassallo
Date Deposited:	14 Jun 2026 14:01
Last Modified:	14 Jun 2026 14:01
Item ID:	30164
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics
Date:	2026
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/30164

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item