A Collection of Polish Works on Philosophical Problems of Time and Spacetime / Edition 1

by Helena Eilstein

Overview

This is a collection of some works of Polish philosophers and physicists on philosophical problems of time and spacetime. Without restricting the thematic scope of the papers, the issue conceming objectivity of time flow runs as a uniting thread through most of them. Partly it is discussed directIy, and partly the authors focus on themes which are of paramount importance for one's attitude to that question. In the first six papers the authors deal with their topics against the background of contemporary physics, its theories, its difficulties and discussed conjectures. For the paper of S. Snihur that background is provided by everyday worId-outlook, and the author discusses the problem of existence and character of the future in the light of basic principles of cIassical logic. The paper of A. P61tawski, about the views of the outstanding polish philosopher Roman Ingarden, enriches the thematic scope of the coIIection introducing into it some questions from philosophical anthropology and ethics. JERZY GOLOSZ MOTION, SPACE, TIME*. Abstract. The paper discusses the properties of spacetime we study by analyzing the phenomenon of motion. Of special interest are the spacetime symmetries. the spacetime structures and the ontological status of spacetime. These problems are considered on the grounds of the c1assical theories of motion contained in Newtonian physics, special and general theory of relativity. The controversy between an absolute and a relational conception of motion and its ontological implications are also analyzed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402006708
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	06/30/2002
Series:	Synthese Library , #309
Edition description:	2002
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.98(h) x 0.02(d)

Table of Contents

Motion, Space, Time.- Quantum Spacetime and the Problem of Time in Quantum Gravity.- Time and Physics — a Noncommutative Revolution.- Flow of Time as a Selection Rule in General Relativity.- Branching for a Transient Time.- Against Detensers (Not for Tensers).- On Existence of the Future.- The Problem of Time in the Philosophy of Roman Ingarden.

Editorial Reviews

"[...]the volume provides the much-needed and appreciated service of making the contributions of contemporary Polish philosophers to the problem of time more widely accessible. For this, the editor and the publisher deserve the gratitude of the philosophical community."

(Christian Wüthrich, University of Pittsburgh in Erkenntnis, 60, 2004)

From the Publisher