Single Idea 18219

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

Full Idea

The problem of the relational view of space is especially acute in the context of physical theories that take the notion of a field seriously, e.g. classical electromagnetic theory.

Gist of Idea

Relational space is problematic if you take the idea of a field seriously

Source

Hartry Field (Science without Numbers [1980], 4)

Book Reference

Field,Hartry: 'Science without Number' [Blackwell 1980], p.35


A Reaction

In the Leibniz-Clarke debate I sided with the Newtonian Clarke (defending absolute space), and it looks like modern science agrees with me. Nothing exists purely as relations.