NDLI: Leibniz’s Theory of Space

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Arthur, Richard T. W.
Copyright Year	2012
Abstract	In this paper I offer a fresh interpretation of Leibniz’s theory of space, in which I explain the connection of his relational theory to both his mathematical theory of analysis situs and his theory of substance. I argue that the elements of his mature theory are not bare bodies (as on a standard relationalist view) nor bare points (as on an absolutist view), but situations. Regarded as an accident of an individual body, a situation is the complex of its angles and distances to other co-existing bodies, founded in the representation or state of the substance or substances contained in the body. The complex of all such mutually compatible situations of co-existing bodies constitutes an order of situations, or instantaneous space. Because these relations of situation change from one instant to another, space is an accidental whole that is continuously changing and becoming something different, and therefore a phenomenon. As Leibniz explains to Clarke, it can be represented mathematically by supposing some set of existents hypothetically (and counterfactually) to remain in a fixed mutual relation of situation, and gauging all subsequent situations in terms of transformations with respect to this initial set. Space conceived in terms of such allowable transformations is the subject of Analysis Situs. Finally, insofar as space is conceived in abstraction from any bodies that might individuate the situations, it encompasses all possible relations of situation. This abstract space, the order of all possible situations, is an abstract entity, and therefore ideal.
Starting Page	499
Ending Page	528
Page Count	30
File Format	PDF
ISSN	12331821
Journal	Foundations of Science
Volume Number	18
Issue Number	3
e-ISSN	15728471
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Netherlands
Publisher Date	2012-04-01
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Leibniz Space Analysis situs Relational theory of space Situation Fixed existents Clarke Philosophy of Science Methodology of the Social Sciences Mathematical Logic and Foundations
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	History and Philosophy of Science

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