, to see if you have full access to this publication.
Monograph No access
Toward a Directionalist Theory of Space
On Going Nowhere
Authors:
Publisher:
2020
Summary
In Toward a Directionalist Theory of Space: On Going Nowhere, H. Scott Hestevold formulates a new relationalist theory of space by appealing to the view that the universe is directioned in the sense that there exist directional relations—a class of spatial relations that Leibniz overlooked. Extending the directionalist/relationalist theory of space to the problem of when it is that discrete objects compose a whole, Hestevold revisits his answer to the Special Composition Question. He also uses the directionalist/relationalist theory to formulate reductivist theories of boundaries and holes—theories that may allow one to resist the view that boundaries and holes are ontologically parasitic entities. Finally, he explores directionalism/relationalism vis-à-vis spacetime. After noting findings of modern physics that favor substantivalist spacetime and then developing metaphysical concerns that favor instead directionalist/relationalist spacetime, Hestevold notes the ontological benefit of endorsing spatiotemporal directional relations even if spacetime substantivalism is the winning theory.
Search publication
Bibliographic data
Edition
1/2020
Copyright Year
2020
ISBN-Print
978-1-4985-7996-4
ISBN-Online
978-1-4985-7997-1
Publisher
Lexington, Lanham
Language
English
Pages
206
Product Type
Monograph
Table of contents
ChapterPages
Dedication No access
Contents No access
Preface No access
Chapter 1 The Map to Nowhere and Beyond No access Pages 1 - 16
Chapter 2 Spatial Directionalism No access Pages 17 - 32
Chapter 3 A Directionalist Theory of Space No access Pages 33 - 48
Chapter 4 Defending Spacelessness No access Pages 49 - 82
Chapter 5 The Special Composition Question Revisited No access Pages 83 - 112
Chapter 6 Does the Road to Nowhere Include Boundaries and Holes? No access Pages 113 - 136
Chapter 7 Is Modern Physics a Roadblock to Going Nowhere? No access Pages 137 - 190
