The thesis I wish to argue for in this article is that spatial relations such as occupying (a certain place) and being 1 km distant from (something) are external. In Section 1, I shall introduce the distinction between external and internal relations and some other basic concepts in the ontology of relations. Afterwards, in the subsequent sections, I shall deal with different theories of space: substantivalism and relationism (Section 2); the spatial property theory (Section 3); super-substantivalism and super-relationism (Section 4); spatial essentialism (Section 5). I shall demonstrate that, in all such theories, spatial relations need to be considered external. Otherwise, unacceptable consequences or spatial properties that are non-relational by mere façon de parler are in order. Finally, in Section 6, I shall briefly tackle length contraction in special relativity theory.

Spatial Relations are External

Paolini Paoletti, Michele
2021-01-01

Abstract

The thesis I wish to argue for in this article is that spatial relations such as occupying (a certain place) and being 1 km distant from (something) are external. In Section 1, I shall introduce the distinction between external and internal relations and some other basic concepts in the ontology of relations. Afterwards, in the subsequent sections, I shall deal with different theories of space: substantivalism and relationism (Section 2); the spatial property theory (Section 3); super-substantivalism and super-relationism (Section 4); spatial essentialism (Section 5). I shall demonstrate that, in all such theories, spatial relations need to be considered external. Otherwise, unacceptable consequences or spatial properties that are non-relational by mere façon de parler are in order. Finally, in Section 6, I shall briefly tackle length contraction in special relativity theory.
2021
Slovensko filozofsko društvo
Internazionale
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11393/278904
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