display all the ideas for this combination of texts
5 ideas
14900 | In physics, matter is an emergent phenomenon, not part of fundamental ontology [Ladyman/Ross] |
Full Idea: Physics has taught us that matter in the sense of extended stuff is an emergent phenomenon that has no counterpart in fundamental ontology. | |
From: J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 1.2.3) | |
A reaction: They contrast this point with futile debates among philosopher between atomists (partless particles) and gunkists (parts all the way down). |
14937 | That the universe must be 'made of' something is just obsolete physics [Ladyman/Ross] |
Full Idea: It is a metaphysical residue of obsolete physics to suppose that the universe is 'made of' anything. | |
From: J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.7.2) | |
A reaction: They quote Smolin as saying that it is 'processes' which are fundamental. And yet surely there must be something there to undergo a process? Surely we don't have eternal platonic processes? |
14901 | Spacetime may well be emergent, rather than basic [Ladyman/Ross] |
Full Idea: Contemporary physics takes very seriously the idea that spacetime itself is emergent from some more fundamental structure. | |
From: J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 1.2.3) |
14924 | If spacetime is substantial, what is the substance? [Ladyman/Ross] |
Full Idea: It is fair to ask: if spacetime is a substance, what is the substance in question? | |
From: J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.2) | |
A reaction: Personally I love the question 'If it exists, what is it made of?', though physicists seem to think that this reveals a gormless misunderstanding. To my question Keith Hossack retorted 'What are the atoms made of?' |
14938 | A fixed foliation theory of quantum gravity could make presentism possible [Ladyman/Ross] |
Full Idea: It has been pointed out that presentism is an open question in so far as a fixed foliation theory of quantum gravity has not been ruled out. | |
From: J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.7.2 n75) | |
A reaction: [They cite B.Monton for this point] I don't understand this idea, but I'll have it anyway. Google 'fixed foliation' for me, as I'm too busy. |