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了对比。然后，观点粗略地分为那些认为空间是与物质截然不同的物质的实体主义者和那些否认空间与物质分开的存在的关系主义者。从历史上看，这两种观点之间的辩证法一直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。当代物理学史学认为，这种思想的核心是对绝对量和结构的分析：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，而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，需要这种绝对结构的理论致力于实体主义。虽然哈盖特博士同意绝对结构的重要性，但他认为，在牛顿力学中，这种对实体主义的推论是不合理的--在牛顿力学中，它被最明确地表达出来--在镜像对称性方面，它违反了量子理论。他还撰写了关于亚里士多德物理学中绝对结构的性质的文章。这个项目以这种方式将他的工作扩展到两个未被调查的领域。首先，康德认为，左与右的区别需要绝对空间；一个现代化的论点声称，空间的拓扑性质是绝对的，超出了关系主义的范围。这个项目将构建和研究拓扑学的具体关系主义理论，并考虑它们是否满足康德的挑战。其次，当代量子引力理论将在相同的框架内进行研究。弦理论和正则量子化需要什么样的绝对结构--如果有的话--以及它们如何影响实体关系问题？哈盖特博士建议进一步研究拓扑学和量子引力理论，并调查它们所包含的绝对结构的作用和意义。他打算在每一章(或论文)上写一章(或论文)，写一本关于目前正在进行的主题的书--他之前在牛顿力学、镜像对称破缺和亚里士多德方面的工作构成了这部作品的剩余部分。研究假使该项目接近尾声。该项目的主要目标是根据古代和现代的物理理论，增加哲学界和历史界对空间本质的理解。更广泛地说，随着这种理解被社区传播，这项工作增加了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.