Einstein's Hole Argument and its Legacy

Abstract

In 1915 not being able to find field equations for a generally covariant theory of gravitation Einstein came up with a fundamental argument against general covariance – the hole argument. This essay discusses the hole argument and focusses on its consequences for substantivalism and determinism. Two different definitions of determinism are introduced and their compatibility with general covariance from a substantivalist's point of view is discussed.

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References found in this work

On the Plurality of Worlds.David K. Lewis - 1986 - Malden, Mass.: Wiley-Blackwell.
What price spacetime substantivalism? The hole story.John Earman & John Norton - 1987 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 38 (4):515-525.
On the Plurality of Worlds.James E. Tomberlin - 1989 - Noûs 23 (1):117-125.
The hole truth.Jeremy Butterfield - 1989 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 40 (1):1-28.

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