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Single Idea 22928

[filed under theme 27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 5. Relational Space ]

Full Idea

For the relationist, if Archytas goes to the edge of space and extends his arm, he is creating a new spatial relation between objects, and thus extending space, which is, after all, just the collection of thos relations.

Gist of Idea

For relationists moving an object beyond the edge of space creates new space

Source

Robin Le Poidevin (Travels in Four Dimensions [2003], 05 'beyond')

Book Ref

Le Poidevin,Robin: 'Travels in Four Dimensions' [OUP 2003], p.93


A Reaction

The obvious point is what are you moving your arm into? And how can some movements be in space, while others create new space? It's a bad theory.


The 30 ideas from 'Travels in Four Dimensions'

A thing which makes no difference seems unlikely to exist [Le Poidevin]
Since nothing occurs in a temporal vacuum, there is no way to measure its length [Le Poidevin]
Temporal vacuums would be unexperienced, unmeasured, and unending [Le Poidevin]
We can identify unoccupied points in space, so they must exist [Le Poidevin]
Absolute space explains actual and potential positions, and geometrical truths [Le Poidevin]
If spatial points exist, then they must be stationary, by definition [Le Poidevin]
For relationists moving an object beyond the edge of space creates new space [Le Poidevin]
The logical properties of causation are asymmetry, transitivity and irreflexivity [Le Poidevin]
In addition to causal explanations, they can also be inferential, or definitional, or purposive [Le Poidevin]
The present is the past/future boundary, so the first moment of time was not present [Le Poidevin]
If the present could have diverse pasts, then past truths can't have present truthmakers [Le Poidevin]
To say that the past causes the present needs them both to be equally real [Le Poidevin]
Time can't speed up or slow down, so it doesn't seem to be a 'process' [Le Poidevin]
We distinguish time from space, because it passes, and it has a unique present moment [Le Poidevin]
We don't just describe a time as 'now' from a private viewpoint, but as a fact about the world [Le Poidevin]
The B-series doesn't seem to allow change [Le Poidevin]
If the B-universe is eternal, why am I trapped in a changing moment of it? [Le Poidevin]
The primitive parts of time are intervals, not instants [Le Poidevin]
Instantaneous motion is an intrinsic disposition to be elsewhere [Le Poidevin]
If time is infinitely divisible, then the present must be infinitely short [Le Poidevin]
How could a timeless God know what time it is? So could God be both timeless and omniscient? [Le Poidevin]
The dynamic view of motion says it is primitive, and not reducible to objects, properties and times [Le Poidevin]
The multiverse is distinct time-series, as well as spaces [Le Poidevin]
An ordered series can be undirected, but time favours moving from earlier to later [Le Poidevin]
If time's arrow is causal, how can there be non-simultaneous events that are causally unconnected? [Le Poidevin]
Time's arrow is not causal if there is no temporal gap between cause and effect [Le Poidevin]
If time's arrow is psychological then different minds can impose different orders on events [Le Poidevin]
There are Thermodynamic, Psychological and Causal arrows of time [Le Poidevin]
Presumably if time's arrow is thermodynamic then time ends when entropy is complete [Le Poidevin]
If time is thermodynamic then entropy is necessary - but the theory says it is probable [Le Poidevin]