The Physics and Metaphysics of Pure Shape Dynamics

, &
In The Foundations of Spacetime Physics: Philosophical Perspectives. New York, NY: Routledge (2022)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

The goal of this essay is twofold. First, it provides a quick look at the foundations of modern relational mechanics by tracing its development from Julian Barbour and Bruno Bertotti's original ideas until present-day's pure shape dynamics. Secondly, it discusses the most appropriate metaphysics for pure shape dynamics, showing that relationalism is more of a nuanced thesis rather than an elusive one. The chapter ends with a brief assessment of the prospects of pure shape dynamics in light of quantum physics.

Categories

Keywords

Reprint years

Links

PhilArchive

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

My notes

Similar books and articles

Structures as the objects of fundamental physics.Vincent Lam & Michael Esfeld - unknown
Shape Dynamics: Relativity and Relationalism.Flavio Mercati - 2018 - Oxford University Press.
The Structural Metaphysics of Quantum Theory and General Relativity.Vincent Lam & Michael Esfeld - 2012 - Journal for General Philosophy of Science / Zeitschrift für Allgemeine Wissenschaftstheorie 43 (2):243-258.
The modal nature of structures in ontic structural realism.Michael Esfeld - 2009 - International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 23 (2):179 – 194.
Thomist vs. Scotist Perspectives on Ontic Structural Realism.Travis Dumsday - 2020 - International Philosophical Quarterly 60 (3):323-337.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shape Dynamics.Henrique Gomes & Tim Koslowski - 2013 - Foundations of Physics 43 (12):1428-1458.
Points, particles, and structural realism.Oliver Pooley - 2005 - In Dean Rickles, Steven French & Juha T. Saatsi (eds.), The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity. Oxford University Press. pp. 83--120.
Holism and structural realism.Michael Esfeld - unknown
Total Collisions in the N-Body Shape Space.Paula Reichert - 2021 - Symmetry 2021, 13(9), 1712.
Structural Realism & the Metaphysics of Natural Kinds.Emma Tobin - unknown
Total Collisions in the N-Body Shape Space.Paula Reichert & Flavio Mercati - 2021 - Symmetry 13(9), 1712.
Leibnizian relationalism for general relativistic physics.Antonio Vassallo & Michael Esfeld - 2016 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics (C):101-107.
Stating structural realism: mathematics‐first approaches to physics and metaphysics.David Wallace - 2022 - Philosophical Perspectives 36 (1):345-378.
Metaphysics within Chemical Physics: The Case of Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics. [REVIEW]Carsten Seck - 2012 - Journal for General Philosophy of Science / Zeitschrift für Allgemeine Wissenschaftstheorie 43 (2):361-375.
Generalism and the Metaphysics of Ontic Structural Realism.David Glick - 2017 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science:axy008.

Analytics

Added to PP
2022-03-05

Downloads
306 (#64,936)

6 months
111 (#36,915)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author Profiles

Tim Koslowski
University of Würzburg
Antonio Vassallo
Warsaw University of Technology

Citations of this work

Add more citations

References found in this work

On the Plurality of Worlds.David K. Lewis - 1986 - Malden, Mass.: Wiley-Blackwell.
Monism: The Priority of the Whole.Jonathan Schaffer - 2010 - Philosophical Review 119 (1):31-76.
On the Plurality of Worlds.David Lewis - 1986 - Revue Philosophique de la France Et de l'Etranger 178 (3):388-390.
Philosophy of Physics: Quantum Theory.Tim Maudlin - 2019 - Princeton: Princeton University Press.

View all 26 references / Add more references