What Spacetime Explains
Metaphysical Essays on Space and Time

Eleven of Graham Nerlich's essays are here brought together dealing with ontology and methodology in relativity; variable curvature and general relativity; and time and causation.

Graham Nerlich (Author)

9780521044035, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 November 2007

300 pages
22.9 x 15.3 x 1.8 cm, 0.463 kg

"...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

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, which deal with ontology and methodology in relativity, variable curvature and general relativity, and time and causation. The author has provided a new general introduction and also introductions to each part to bring the discussion more up to date and draw out the general themes. The book will be welcomed by all philosophers of physics, and of science in general.

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.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA], Social & political philosophy [HPS]