The primacy of geometry

Amit Hagar; Meir Hemmo

doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2013.01.003

The primacy of geometry

Amit Hagar
, Meir Hemmo

Department of Philosophy

University of Haifa

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We argue that in current spacetime physics there can be no dynamical derivation of primitive geometrical notions such as length. We illustrate our argument by focusing on two case studies: the special theory of relativity and some approaches to quantum gravity, and we argue that in these cases, some geometrical notions are assumed rather than derived. Our argument suggests a new reading of Einstein's views on the status of geometry vs. dynamics.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	357-364
Number of pages	8
Journal	Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B - Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Volume	44
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsb.2013.01.003
State	Published - Aug 2013

Keywords

Dynamics
Emergence
Geometry
Length
Lorentz-invariance
Spacetime
Special relativity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

History
General Physics and Astronomy
History and Philosophy of Science

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10.1016/j.shpsb.2013.01.003

Cite this

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title = "The primacy of geometry",

abstract = "We argue that in current spacetime physics there can be no dynamical derivation of primitive geometrical notions such as length. We illustrate our argument by focusing on two case studies: the special theory of relativity and some approaches to quantum gravity, and we argue that in these cases, some geometrical notions are assumed rather than derived. Our argument suggests a new reading of Einstein's views on the status of geometry vs. dynamics.",

keywords = "Dynamics, Emergence, Geometry, Length, Lorentz-invariance, Spacetime, Special relativity",

author = "Amit Hagar and Meir Hemmo",

note = "Funding Information: We thank an anonymous referee and the editors of this volume for valuable comments. AH's research was supported by the NSF , Grant SES 0951179 . MH's research was supported by the Israel Science Foundation , grant 713/10 and the German–Israel Foundation , grant 1054-112.4/2009 .",

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AU - Hemmo, Meir

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N2 - We argue that in current spacetime physics there can be no dynamical derivation of primitive geometrical notions such as length. We illustrate our argument by focusing on two case studies: the special theory of relativity and some approaches to quantum gravity, and we argue that in these cases, some geometrical notions are assumed rather than derived. Our argument suggests a new reading of Einstein's views on the status of geometry vs. dynamics.

AB - We argue that in current spacetime physics there can be no dynamical derivation of primitive geometrical notions such as length. We illustrate our argument by focusing on two case studies: the special theory of relativity and some approaches to quantum gravity, and we argue that in these cases, some geometrical notions are assumed rather than derived. Our argument suggests a new reading of Einstein's views on the status of geometry vs. dynamics.

KW - Dynamics

KW - Emergence

KW - Geometry

KW - Length

KW - Lorentz-invariance

KW - Spacetime

KW - Special relativity

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M3 - Article

SN - 1355-2198

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JF - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B - Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

IS - 3

ER -

The primacy of geometry

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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