Vassallo, Antonio (2016) A Metaphysical Reflection on the Notion of Background in Modern Spacetime Physics. [Preprint]
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Abstract
The paper presents a metaphysical characterization of spatiotemporal backgrounds from a realist perspective. The conceptual analysis is based on a heuristic sketch that encompasses the common formal traits of the major spacetime theories, such as Newtonian mechanics and general relativity. It is shown how this framework can be interpreted in a fully realist fashion, and what is the role of background structures in such a picture. In the end it is argued that, although backgrounds are a source of metaphysical discomfort, still they make a spacetime theory easy to interpret. It is also suggested that this conclusion partially explains why the notion of background independence carries a lot of conceptual difficulties.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | Accepted for publication in L. Felline, F. Paoli, E. Rossanese (eds.) - New Developments in Logic and Philosophy of Science. College Publications. | ||||||
| Keywords: | Background structure; spacetime theory; nomic necessity; dynamical sameness; principle of reciprocity; substantive general covariance; background independence. | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Depositing User: | Antonio Vassallo | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 20 Feb 2016 04:00 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 20 Feb 2016 04:00 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 11918 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Date: | 2016 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11918 |
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