The Proximity of Light: a deconstruction of space

A deconstruction of the implicit notion of Absolute space that dominates modern physics. The deconstruction is enacted by juxtaposing the common notion of Absolute space abstracted from Newton’s Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica with Levinas’ particular present treatment of space in Otherwise than Being: Or Beyond Essence

Mathematical metaphors and philosophical structures

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between mathematics and philosophy. The first part of the study examined the history and basic doctrines of idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism. This was a basic overview which would familiarize the reader with the teachings of each philosophical system. Mathematical topics and structure were then used to model and evaluate each of the philosophies. By using mathematical metaphors to evaluate each philosophical structure, the reader could decide which beliefs would have worth to his or her life. The second part of the study addressed the problem of choice. The belief that humans have few choices and that only one of those choices would bring success was evaluated using the binomial distribution to mathematically model the Greek dialectic. The belief that humans have an infinite number of choices was evaluated using Georg Cantor's mathematical argument that there are infinitely many decimal fractions on the finite line segment between zero and one

Dynamic all the way down

In this paper we provide an analysis of dynamic dispositionalism. It is usually claimed that dispositions are dynamic properties. However, there is no exhaustive analysis of dynamism in the dispositional literature. We will argue that the dynamic character of dispositions can be analyzed in terms of three features: (i) temporal extension, (ii) necessary change and (iii) future orientedness. Roughly, we will defend the idea that dynamism entails a continuous view of time, to be analyzed in mathematical terms, where intervals are its constitutive elements, whose duration lasts as much as a certain change takes to occur (in support of i). Such changes are the necessary components for the flowing of time because we think there cannot be time without change, (thus supporting ii) and that the forward-looking feature of properties is what determines the direction of time (as per iii). The paper is structured in 5 sections. In the first section, we set the problem: we outline and criticize some dispositional theories that defend an unsatisfying notion of dynamism. In the second, third and fourth sections we defend each desideratum for a disposition to be dynamic. Finally, we draw some conclusions and consider potential future research

Denying the existence of instants of time and the instantaneous

Extending on an earlier paper [Found. Phys. Ltt., 16(4) 343–355, (2003)], it is argued that instants of time and the instantaneous (including instantaneous relative position) do not actually exist. This conclusion, one which is also argued to represent the correct solution to Zeno’s motion paradoxes, has several implications for modern physics and for our philosophical view of time, including that time and space cannot be quantized; that contrary to common interpretation, motion and change are compatible with the “block” universe and relativity; and that time, space, and space-time too, cannot exist. Instead, motion and change become the major players

Creation, beginning and time in the Summa Theologiae : Why creation does not imply the beginning of the universe?

The book of Genesis opens with the narrative of the creation of the universe and of the world. Beginning and time are crucial in this account. Applying his method of philosophical inquiry, Aquinas – who was targeted by the condemnations of Étienne Tempier – concluded that creation does not imply the beginning of the universe. In the Summa Theologiae, he expounded on this theme and put forward a theory as to why this is so. This article attempts to re-read this mediaeval debate, characterized by two antagonistic cosmogonic views – philosophical and doctrinal – through calculus, notably through the introduction of the limit notion, to which, in fact, Thomas does not adhere, but rather adopted an intermediate position. Grounded in contemporary cosmology, which endorses the beginning of the universe, the Biblical age of the world based on the genealogies contained therein tends to absolute present – a fact and not an act of faith – in terms of the actual age of the universe. Aquinas not only provided a position of ‘modus vivendi’ between philosophy and theology, but addressed a fundamental issue in the philosophy of science of cosmology.peer-reviewe

Why Zeno’s Paradoxes of Motion are Actually About Immobility

International audienceZeno’s paradoxes of motion, allegedly denying motion, have been conceived to reinforce the Parmenidean vision of an immutable world. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that these famous logical paradoxes should be seen instead as paradoxes of immobility. From this new point of view, motion is therefore no longer logically problematic, while immobility is. This is convenient since it is easy to conceive that immobility can actually conceal motion, and thus the proposition “immobility is mere illusion of the senses” is much more credible than the reverse thesis supported by Parmenides. Moreover, this proposition is also supported by modern depiction of material bodies: the existence of a ceaseless random motion of atoms—the ‘thermal agitation’—in the scope of contemporary atomic theory, can offer a rational explanation of this ‘illusion of immobility’. Our new approach to Zeno’s paradoxes therefore leads to presenting the novel concept of ‘impermobility’, which we think is a more adequate description of physical reality

Mathematical, Philosophical and Semantic Considerations on Infinity (I): General Concepts

In the Reality we know, we cannot say if something is infinite whether we are doing Physics, Biology, Sociology or Economics. This means we have to be careful using this concept. Infinite structures do not exist in the physical world as far as we know. So what do mathematicians mean when they assert the existence of ω (the mathematical symbol for the set of all integers)? There is no universally accepted philosophy of mathematics but the most common belief is that mathematics touches on another worldly absolute truth. Many mathematicians believe that mathematics involves a special perception of an idealized world of absolute truth. This comes in part from the recognition that our knowledge of the physical world is imperfect and falls short of what we can apprehend with mathematical thinking. The objective of this paper is to present an epistemological rather than an historical vision of the mathematical concept of infinity that examines the dialectic between the actual and potential infinity

The Emergence of Analysis in the Renaissance and After

Paper by Salomon Bochne