A Minimalist Ontology of the Natural World

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects
Cover of the book A Minimalist Ontology of the Natural World by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert ISBN: 9781351392167
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: October 25, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
ISBN: 9781351392167
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: October 25, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book seeks to work out which commitments are minimally sufficient to obtain an ontology of the natural world that matches all of today’s well-established physical theories. We propose an ontology of the natural world that is defined only by two axioms: (1) There are distance relations that individuate simple objects, namely matter points. (2) The matter points are permanent, with the distances between them changing. Everything else comes in as a means to represent the change in the distance relations in a manner that is both as simple and as informative as possible. The book works this minimalist ontology out in philosophical as well as mathematical terms and shows how one can understand classical mechanics, quantum field theory and relativistic physics on the basis of this ontology. Along the way, we seek to achieve four subsidiary aims: (a) to make a case for a holistic individuation of the basic objects (ontic structural realism); (b) to work out a new version of Humeanism, dubbed Super-Humeanism, that does without natural properties; (c) to set out an ontology of quantum physics that is an alternative to quantum state realism and that avoids any ontological dualism of particles and fields; (d) to vindicate a relationalist ontology based on point objects also in the domain of relativistic physics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book seeks to work out which commitments are minimally sufficient to obtain an ontology of the natural world that matches all of today’s well-established physical theories. We propose an ontology of the natural world that is defined only by two axioms: (1) There are distance relations that individuate simple objects, namely matter points. (2) The matter points are permanent, with the distances between them changing. Everything else comes in as a means to represent the change in the distance relations in a manner that is both as simple and as informative as possible. The book works this minimalist ontology out in philosophical as well as mathematical terms and shows how one can understand classical mechanics, quantum field theory and relativistic physics on the basis of this ontology. Along the way, we seek to achieve four subsidiary aims: (a) to make a case for a holistic individuation of the basic objects (ontic structural realism); (b) to work out a new version of Humeanism, dubbed Super-Humeanism, that does without natural properties; (c) to set out an ontology of quantum physics that is an alternative to quantum state realism and that avoids any ontological dualism of particles and fields; (d) to vindicate a relationalist ontology based on point objects also in the domain of relativistic physics.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Planning Chicago by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Democracy by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Queer Movie Medievalisms by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book The Impacts of Automotive Plant Closure by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Economic Theory and Policy amidst Global Discontent by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Kinship and Gender by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book International Political Economy by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Middle English Literature by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Child Care in Context by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Age and Generation by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Enhancing the Quality of Life in Advanced Dementia by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book The Laws of the Knowledge Workplace by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Sex in Imagined Spaces by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book Teach to Work by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
Cover of the book The 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games by Michael Esfeld, Dirk-Andre Deckert
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy