What Spacetime Explains: Metaphysical Essays on Space and Time

by Graham Nerlich

Overview

Graham Nerlich is one of the most distinguished of contemporary philosophers of space and time. Eleven of his essays are here brought together in a carefully structured volume; they deal with ontology and methodology in relativity, variable curvature and general relativity, and time and causation. The author has provided a general introduction and also introductions to each part to bring the discussion up-to-date and draw out the general themes. This volume will be welcomed by all philosophers of physics, and of science in general.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521044035
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/22/2007
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.71(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Introduction; Part I. Ontology and Methodology in Relativity: 1. On learning from the mistakes of Positivists; 2. What ontology can be about with Andrew Westwell-Roper; 3. Special relativity is not based on causality; 3. Simultaneity and convention in special relativity; 5. Motion and change of distance; Part II. Variable Curvature and General Relativity: 6. How Euclidean geometry has misled metaphysics; 7. What can geometry explain?; 8. Is curvature intrinsic to physical space?; 9. Holes in the hole argument; Part III. Time and Causation: 10. Can time be finite?; 11. How to make things have happened; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Nerlich, a well-established philosopher of space and time, has provided a set of erudite and highly technical essays that will prove richly rewarding for scholars of the philosophy of space and time....a presentation of value for those who already know relativity and wish to know more about the metaphysical subtleties of its meaning." Choice

"...the essays in this book constitute an important and thoughtful contribution to the philosophy of space and time. The author presents incisive treatments of a number of long-standing and crucial issues." Lawrence Sklar, Mathematical Reviews

From the Publisher