What Spacetime Explains Metaphysical Essays on Space and Time [Hardcover]

Eleven of Graham Nerlich's essays are here brought together dealing with ontology and methodology in relativity; variable curvature and general relativity; and time and causation.Eleven of Graham Nerlich's essays are here brought together in a carefully structured volume, dealing with ontology and methodology in relativity, variable curvature and general relativity, and time and causation.Eleven of Graham Nerlich's essays are here brought together in a carefully structured volume, dealing with ontology and methodology in relativity, variable curvature and general relativity, and time and causation.Graham Nerlich is one of the most distinguished of contemporary philosophers of space and time. Eleven of his essays are here brought together in a carefully structured volume; they deal with ontology and methodology in relativity, variable curvature and general relativity, and time and causation. The author has provided a general introduction and also introductions to each part to bring the discussion up-to-date and draw out the general themes. This volume will be welcomed by all philosophers of physics, and of science in general.Preface; Introduction; Part I. Ontology and Methodology in Relativity: 1. On learning from the mistakes of Positivists; 2. What ontology can be about with Andrew Westwell-Roper; 3. Special relativity is not based on causality; 3. Simultaneity and convention in special relativity; 5. Motion and change of distance; Part II. Variable Curvature and General Relativity: 6. How Euclidean geometry has misled metaphysics; 7. What can geometry explain?; 8. Is curvature intrinsic to physical space?; 9. Holes in the hole argument; Part III. Time and Causation: 10. Can time be finite?; 11. How to make things have happened; Bibliography; Index. Nerlich, a well-established philosopher of space and time, has provided a set of erudite and highly technical essays that will prove richly rewarding for scholars of the philosophy of space and time....a presentation oflÓÕ