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    Carmelics

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    Absolute space exists as a real, immovable container inde... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→If God removed all matter within a vessel such that nothing remained, the sides of the vessel would immediately become contiguous.

    Absolute space exists as a real, immovable container independent of material bodies, as Newton argued in the Scholium to the Principia.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Motion and acceleration require a reference frame; absolute space provides the unique, objective frame Newton's laws require to be determinate.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Rotation exhibits genuine physical effects (centrifugal force in bucket experiment) only explicable if space itself is absolute, not relational.
      ?

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    • 3.Without absolute space, the distinction between true motion and mere relative displacement becomes incoherent and unmeasurable.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Absolute space is unobservable and causally inert—we only ever measure relative positions, making it metaphysically superfluous by Occam's razor.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Einstein's relativity successfully predicts all phenomena Newton explained without positing absolute space, showing it is not necessary for physics.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Rotational effects in Newton's bucket are explicable via inertial frames relative to distant masses (Mach's principle), requiring no absolute container.
      ?

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    Connections

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    Modality & Possibility1 linkedDivine Attributes1 linked

    Related

    Absolute space is unobservable and causally inert—we only ever measure relative ...Einstein's relativity successfully predicts all phenomena Newton explained witho...If God removed all matter within a vessel such that nothing remained, the sides ...Motion and acceleration require a reference frame; absolute space provides the u...
    +3 moreShow less
    Rotation exhibits genuine physical effects (centrifugal force in bucket experime...Rotational effects in Newton's bucket are explicable via inertial frames relativ...Without absolute space, the distinction between true motion and mere relative di...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit