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Single Idea 23002

[filed under theme 27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 6. Space-Time ]

Full Idea

While spatial and temporal distances in relativity depend on one's relative state of motion, spatiotemporal distances within Minkowski spacetime do not. It therefore provides an invariant metric for describing the distances between things.

Gist of Idea

In relativity space and time depend on one's motion, but spacetime gives an invariant metric

Source

Baron,S/Miller,K (Intro to the Philosophy of Time [2019], 4.2)

Book Ref

Baron,S/Miller,K: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Time' [Polity 2019], p.95

A Reaction

I doubt whether this solves all the worries which philosophers have, about relativity giving an account of time which contradicts our concept of time in every other area of our understanding.

The 16 ideas with the same theme [relative space and time, treated as one system]:

14014 Space alone, and time alone, will fade away, and only their union has an independent reality [Minkowski]
21232 Space-time arises from the connection between measurements of space and of time [Einstein, by Farmelo]
15482 We can't think of space-time as empty and propertyless, and it seems to be a substratum [Martin,CB]
20640 Space-time is indeterminate foam over short distances [Close]
22931 We distinguish time from space, because it passes, and it has a unique present moment [Le Poidevin]
15194 Time, as it appears in standard modern science, is bad verificationist metaphysics [Smith,Q, by Le Poidevin]
14735 Space is 3D and lacks a direction; time seems connected to causation [Sider]
15021 The central question in the philosophy of time is: How alike are time and space? [Sider]
14588 Modern metaphysicians tend to think space-time points are more fundamental than space-time regions [Hawthorne]
14901 Spacetime may well be emergent, rather than basic [Ladyman/Ross]
14924 If spacetime is substantial, what is the substance? [Ladyman/Ross]
22913 The universe expands, so space-time is enlarging [Bardon]
19475 Relativity makes time and space jointly basic; quantum theory splits them, and prioritises time [New Sci.]
19955 Space-time may be a geometrical manifestation of quantum entanglement [New Sci.]
19948 Einstein's merging of time with space has left us confused about the nature of time [New Sci.]
23002 In relativity space and time depend on one's motion, but spacetime gives an invariant metric [Baron/Miller]