Friday, 24 October 2008
Why Constructive Relativity Fails
John D. Norton, University of Pittsburgh, History & Philosophy of Science/Center for Philosophy of Science
12:05 pm, 817R Cathedral of Learning

::: photos

Abstract: In considering spacetime theories such as special relativity, constructivists, like Harvey Brown, must believe that the geometry of spacetime can be inferred from the properties of matter without recourse to spatiotemporal presumptions. I show that the construction project only succeeds if constructivists antecedently presume the essential commitments of a realist conception of spacetime.