Absolute Quantities in Theories of Space and Motion

对空间本质的哲学分析传统上是从考虑物质在空间中运动的力学理论开始的——因此将空间与物质进行对比。人们的观点大致分为实体化论者和关系论者。实体化论者认为空间是不同于物质的实体，而关系论者则否认空间存在于物质之外。从历史上看，这两种立场之间的辩证关系是物理学创新的丰硕源泉；相反，可以说，该领域所有最重要的思想都仔细关注了空间在力学理论中所起的作用。当代物理学哲学史学认为，这种思想的核心是对绝对数量和结构的分析：例如，亚里士多德的理论对绝对位置（即宇宙的中心）起着至关重要的作用，牛顿力学需要一个恒定运动的绝对标准。此外，许多当代哲学家认为，要求这种绝对结构的理论使人陷入实体主义。虽然休格特博士同意绝对结构的重要性，但他认为，这种对实体主义的推断在牛顿力学中是不合理的——在牛顿力学中，它是最明确地表达出来的——而且在镜像对称中违反了量子理论。他还写过亚里士多德物理学中绝对结构的本质。这个项目以这种方式将他的工作扩展到两个尚未研究的领域。首先，康德认为左右的区分需要绝对空间；一种现代化的观点认为空间的拓扑属性是绝对的，超越了关系论的范畴。本项目将构建和研究具体的拓扑关系理论，并考虑它们是否符合康德的挑战。第二，当代量子引力理论将在相同的框架下进行研究。弦理论和规范量子化需要什么样的绝对结构（如果有的话），它们对实体关系问题有何影响？Huggett博士建议进一步研究拓扑学和量子引力理论，并研究它们所包含的绝对结构的作用和意义。他打算用一章（或一篇论文）的篇幅来阐述这一主题，并将其写进目前正在进行的一本书中——他之前关于牛顿力学、镜像对称破缺和亚里士多德的工作构成了这项工作的剩余部分。研究休假使这个项目接近尾声。该项目的主要目标是根据古代和现代的物理理论，增加哲学和历史团体对空间本质的理解。更广泛地说，随着这种理解在科学界的传播，这项工作增加了人们对古代和现代物理学发现的世界的欣赏，以及哲学思考在科学中的作用。

Philosophical analysis of the nature of space traditionally starts by considering mechanics theories of matter in motion in space - and so contrasts space with matter. Opinion then crudely divides into those -substantivalists - who take space to be a distinct substance from matter and those - relationists - who deny that space has any existence separate from matter. Historically, the dialectic between these two positions has been a fruitful source of innovation in physics; conversely, arguably all the most important thought in the field has paid careful attention to the role played by space in mechanical theories. Contemporary historiography in philosophy of physics holds that central to such thought is the analysis of absolute quantities and structures: e.g., Aristotle's theory held a crucial role for absolute place (namely the center of the universe) and Newtonian mechanics requires an absolute standard of constant motion. Further, many contemporary philosophers hold that theories which demand such absolute structures commit one to substantivalism.While agreeing with the importance of absolute structures, Dr. Huggett has argued that such an inference to substantivalism is unjustified in Newtonian mechanics - where it is most explicitly articulated - and in mirror symmetry violating quantum theories. He has also written on the nature of absolute structures in Aristotelian physics. This project extends his work to two areas under-investigated in this way. First, Kant argued that the distinction between left and right required absolute space; a modernized argument claims that the topological properties of space are absolute, and exceed the reach of relationism. This project will construct and investigate concrete relationist theories of topology, and consider whether they meet Kant's challenge. Second, contemporary theories of quantum gravity will be studied in the same framework. What absolute structures - if any - do string theory and canonical quantization require, and how do they bear on the substantival-relational issue?The Dr. Huggett proposes to study further theories of topology and quantum gravity and to investigate the role and meaning of the absolute structures they entail. He intends to write a chapter (or paper) on each for a book on the topic currently in progress - his prior work on Newtonian mechanics, mirror symmetry breaking and Aristotle constitute the remainder of this work. The research leave brings the project close to conclusion. The primary goal of the project is to increase understanding in the philosophical and historical community of the nature of space according to physical theories, ancient and modern. More generally, as that understanding is disseminated by the community, the work increases appreciation for the world discovered by physics, ancient and modern, and the role of philosophical considerations in science.