
Toward a Directionalist Theory of Space
On Going Nowhere
H. Scott Hestevold(Author)
Lexington Books (Publisher)
Published on 17. May 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
242 pages
978-1-4985-7998-8 (ISBN)
Description
In Toward a Directionalist Theory of Space: On Going Nowhere, H. Scott Hestevold formulates a new relationalist theory of space by appealing to the view that the universe is directioned in the sense that there exist directional relations-a class of spatial relations that Leibniz overlooked. Extending the directionalist/relationalist theory of space to the problem of when it is that discrete objects compose a whole, Hestevold revisits his answer to the Special Composition Question. He also uses the directionalist/relationalist theory to formulate reductivist theories of boundaries and holes-theories that may allow one to resist the view that boundaries and holes are ontologically parasitic entities. Finally, he explores directionalism/relationalism vis-a-vis spacetime. After noting findings of modern physics that favor substantivalist spacetime and then developing metaphysical concerns that favor instead directionalist/relationalist spacetime, Hestevold notes the ontological benefit of endorsing spatiotemporal directional relations even if spacetime substantivalism is the winning theory.
Reviews / Votes
Hestevold's book is a sophisticated, well-informed, and original treatment of thorny issues in analytic metaphysics. He grounds his discussion of space and directionality in the classic debate between Newton and Leibniz, but deftly takes it into the contemporary relativistic understanding of spacetime, with much to say about composition, persistence, continuity, and dependent particulars along the way. -- Steven D. Hales, Bloomsburg UniversityMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
11 BW Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
365 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4985-7998-8 (9781498579988)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2020
1st Edition
Bloomsbury eBooks US
€35.49
Available for download
Person
H. Scott Hestevold is professor emeritus of philosophy at The University of Alabama.
Content
PrefaceChapter 1: The Map to Nowhere and Beyond
Chapter 2: Spatial Directionalism
Chapter 3: A Directionalist Theory of Space
Chapter 4: Defending Spacelessness
Chapter 5: The Special Composition Question Revisited
Chapter 6: Is the Road to Nowhere Without Boundaries and Holes?
Chapter 7: Is Modern Physics a Roadblock to Going Nowhere?
Bibliography
Chapter 2: Spatial Directionalism
Chapter 3: A Directionalist Theory of Space
Chapter 4: Defending Spacelessness
Chapter 5: The Special Composition Question Revisited
Chapter 6: Is the Road to Nowhere Without Boundaries and Holes?
Chapter 7: Is Modern Physics a Roadblock to Going Nowhere?
Bibliography