I—Time, Topology and Physical Geometry.
The standard mathematical account of the sub-metrical geometry of a space employs topology, whose foundational concept is the open set. This proves to be an unhappy choice for discrete spaces, and offers no insight into the physical origin of geometrical structure. I outline an alternative, the Theo...
| Publicado en: | Aristotelian Society Supplementary Volume Vol. 84; no. 1; pp. 63 - 79 |
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| Autor principal: | |
| Formato: | Artículo |
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Oxford University Press / USA
2010
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| Sumario: | The standard mathematical account of the sub-metrical geometry of a space employs topology, whose foundational concept is the open set. This proves to be an unhappy choice for discrete spaces, and offers no insight into the physical origin of geometrical structure. I outline an alternative, the Theory of Linear Structures, whose foundational concept is the line. Application to Relativistic space-time reveals that the whole geometry of space-time derives from temporal structure. In this sense, instead of spatializing time, Relativity temporalizes space. |
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