University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Dimensionality, orientability and the ontological status of space

Frame, Richard Olin

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Description

Title
Dimensionality, orientability and the ontological status of space
Author(s)
Frame, Richard Olin
Issue Date
1990
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Melnick, Arthur
Department of Study
Philosophy
Discipline
Philosophy
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Philosophy
Language
eng
Abstract
  • The claim of this thesis is that the issue of the topological structure of space, in particular its dimensionality and orientability, is crucial to the debate over the ontological status of space. To support this claim I will employ the notion of enantiomorphism, or handedness, to show first, that the debate concerning the dimensionality and orientability of space is structurally the same as the debate concerning inertial forces and second, that the issue of topological structure produces a serious modal problem which is not produced by the issue of inertial forces.
  • In Chapter One, I will clarify the notion of enantiomorphism primarily as understood in terms of Newtonian space. In Chapter Two, I will consider the absolutist view of space, its approach to enantiomorphism, and problems with that approach. In Chapters Three and Four, I will consider the same issues in regard to relationist and performativist views of space. In Chapter Four, I will briefly suggest how the performativist may ultimately provide a resolution of the problems of dimensionality and orientability.
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/21097
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1990 Frame, Richard Olin

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