Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome | |||
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Four Dimensionalism, Philosophy: The so-called four-dimensionalism is represented by a coordinate system with three space axes and one time axis. The coordinate system represents events by a point, indicating position in space and point in time. Perpetual objects are represented by extended lines. The path of these lines correspond to the object’s changes in space. The thickness of these lines corresponds to the size of the object. By way of cross sections of these world lines (objects and their passage of time), the so-called time slices, the momentary state of the objects can be found. The time slice of a person is not flat, but identical with the person in a moment. See also coordinate system, image, representation, space-time, time, space, change, motion, reference systems._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
Author | Concept | Summary/Quotes | Sources |
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Hartry Field on Four-Dimensionalism - Dictionary of Arguments
III 36 Space/quantification/four-dimensionalism/time slices/Field: we can quantify over points or regions, without obligation to absolute rest: Solution: We consider a statement about the space as an abbreviation for a statement about each time slice. Time slice/Field: is generated by the relation of simultaneity. - Example: the sentence that the space is Euclidean, is a sentence about the fact that each time slice of space-time is Euclidean. Punch line: then the objects in the range of quantifiers are really space-time points and no longer mere space points. >Scope, >Domains, >Spacetime, >Spacetime points, >Quantifiers, >Quantification, >Ontology, >Mathematical entities._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Field I H. Field Realism, Mathematics and Modality Oxford New York 1989 Field II H. Field Truth and the Absence of Fact Oxford New York 2001 Field III H. Field Science without numbers Princeton New Jersey 1980 Field IV Hartry Field "Realism and Relativism", The Journal of Philosophy, 76 (1982), pp. 553-67 In Theories of Truth, Paul Horwich, Aldershot 1994 |