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Single Idea 15981

[filed under theme 27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 4. Substantival Space ]

Full Idea

There are two conceptions of absolute space. In the first, empty space is independent of objects but provides a frame of reference so an object has a location. ..In the second space exists independently, but has no 'marks' into which objects can be put.

Gist of Idea

Absolute space either provides locations, or exists but lacks 'marks' for locations

Source

Peter Alexander (Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles [1985], 6)

Book Ref

Alexander,Peter: 'Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles' [CUP 1985], p.136


A Reaction

He says that Locke seems to reject the first one, but accept the second one.

Related Idea

Idea 15980 We can locate the parts of the universe, but not the whole thing [Locke]


The 16 ideas with the same theme [space that exists in its own right]:

If everything has a place, this causes an infinite regress, because each place must have place [Aristotle]
The universe as a whole is not anywhere [Aristotle]
Space must exist, since movement is obvious, and there must be somewhere to move in [Epicurus]
Absolute space is independent, homogeneous and immovable [Newton]
The idea that the universe could be moved forward with no other change is just a fantasy [Leibniz]
So-called 'empty' space is the carrier of geometry and kinematics [Heisenberg]
Absolute space either provides locations, or exists but lacks 'marks' for locations [Alexander,P]
Empty space is measurable in ways in which empty time necessarily is not [Bennett, by Shoemaker]
Both philosophy and physics now make substantivalism more attractive [Field,H]
Measuring space requires no movement while I do it [Scruton]
General Relativity allows substantivalism about space-time - that it has independent properties [Hoefer]
Absolute space explains actual and potential positions, and geometrical truths [Le Poidevin]
Space has real betweenness and congruence structure (though it is not the Euclidean concepts) [Sider]
Space and its contents seem to be one stuff - so space is the only existing thing [Wolfram]
The Higgs field means even low energy space is not empty [New Sci.]
The world is just particles plus fields; space is the gravitational field [Rovelli]