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Full Idea
The 'spinning disc' is not metaphysically possible. We have every reason to believe that there is no such thing as 'perfectly homogeneous matter'. The atomic theory of matter is as well established as any scientific theory is likely to be.
Gist of Idea
The 'spinning disc' is just impossible, because there cannot be 'homogeneous matter'
Source
Tim Maudlin (The Metaphysics within Physics [2007], 7 Epilogue)
Book Ref
Maudlin,Tim: 'The Metaphysics within Physics' [OUP 2007], p.185
A Reaction
This is a key case for Maudlin, and his contempt for metaphysics which is not scientifically informed. I agree with him. Extreme thought experiments are worth considering, but impossible ones are pointless.
Related Idea
Idea 16211 A homogeneous rotating disc should be undetectable according to Humean supervenience [Hawley]
| 17661 | We don't recognise patterns - we invent them [Goodman] |
| 16210 | Humean supervenience says the world is just a vast mosaic of qualities in space-time [Lewis] |
| 16211 | A homogeneous rotating disc should be undetectable according to Humean supervenience [Hawley] |
| 16243 | The Humean view is wrong; laws and direction of time are primitive, and atoms are decided by physics [Maudlin] |
| 16271 | Lewis says it supervenes on the Mosaic, but actually thinks the Mosaic is all there is [Maudlin] |
| 16273 | If the Humean Mosaic is ontological bedrock, there can be no explanation of its structure [Maudlin] |
| 16275 | The 'spinning disc' is just impossible, because there cannot be 'homogeneous matter' [Maudlin] |
| 19012 | The Humean supervenience base entirely excludes modality [Vetter] |