Dimensionality, symmetry and the Inverse Square Law

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitria Electra Gatzia ◽  
Rex D. Ramsier
Keyword(s):  
Philosophical Literature ◽  
Inverse Square Law ◽  
Dimensions Of Space ◽  
Dimensionality Of Space

Kant suggested that Newton's Inverse Square Law (ISL) determines the dimensions of space to be three. Much has been written in the philosophical literature about Kant's suggestion, including specific arguments attempting to link the ISL to three-dimensionality. In this article, we explore one such argument and demonstrate that it fails to support the link Kant purports to make between the ISL and the three-dimensionality of space. At best, the link that can be made is between the ISL and symmetry.

The Kalam Cosmological Argument

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Lane Craig
Keyword(s):  
Space Time ◽  
Cosmological Argument ◽  
Philosophical Literature ◽  
The Past ◽  
Classical Space ◽  
Kalam Cosmological Argument ◽  
Kalām Cosmological Argument ◽  
The Universe

A survey of recent philosophical literature on the kalam cosmological argument reveals that arguments for the finitude of the past and, hence, the beginning of the universe remain robust. Plantinga’s brief criticisms of Kant’s argument in his First Antinomy concerning time are shown not to be problematic for the kalam argument. This chapter addresses, one by one, the two premises of the kalam, focusing on their philosophical aspects. The notion of infinity, both actual and potential, is discussed in relation to the coming into being of the universe. In addition, the scientific aspects of the two premises are also, briefly, addressed. Among these are the Borde-Guth-Vilenkin theorem, which proves that classical space-time cannot be extended to past infinity but must reach a boundary at some time in the finite past. This, among other factors, lends credence to the kalam argument’s second premise.

The Sea Fight Tomorrow

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensions ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
Metaphysics Of Time ◽  
Manifold Theory ◽  
Dimensions Of Space

This chapter is the first of this book to deal specifically with the metaphysics of time. This chapter defends the pure manifold theory of time. On this view, time is just another dimension of extent like the three dimensions of space, the past, present, and future are equally real, and the world is at bottom tenseless. What is true is eternally true. For example, it is now true that there will be a sea fight tomorrow or that there will not be a sea fight tomorrow. It is argued that the pure manifold theory does not entail fatalism and that contingent statements about the future do not imply that only the past and present exist.

Newtonian Gravity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Wittman
Keyword(s):  
Surface Gravity ◽  
Newtonian Gravity ◽  
Acceleration Field ◽  
Source Mass ◽  
Inverse Square Law ◽  
Average Acceleration ◽  
Law Of Gravity ◽  
Tidal Acceleration

Having developed a framework for subsuming gravity into relativity, we examine how gravity behaves as a function of the source mass (Earth, Sun, etc.) and distance from that sourcemass.We develop Newton’s inverse‐square law of gravity, and we examine the consequences in terms of acceleration fields, potentials, escape velocities, and surface gravity. Chapter 17 will build on these ideas to show how orbits are used to probe gravity throughout the universe.We also develop a tool for exposing variations in the acceleration field: the tidal acceleration field in any region is defined as the acceleration field in that region minus the average acceleration. This enables us to restate Newton’s lawof gravity as: the acceleration arrows surrounding any point show a net convergence that is proportional to the density of mass at that point. Chapter 18 will use this to develop a frame‐independent law of gravity.

scholarly journals Do delusions have and give meaning?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Ritunnano ◽  
Lisa Bortolotti
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Psychology ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Philosophical Perspective ◽  
Philosophical Literature ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Phenomenological Psychopathology

AbstractDelusions are often portrayed as paradigmatic instances of incomprehensibility and meaninglessness. Here we investigate the relationship between delusions and meaning from a philosophical perspective, integrating arguments and evidence from cognitive psychology and phenomenological psychopathology. We review some of the empirical and philosophical literature relevant to two claims about delusions and meaning: (1) delusions are meaningful, despite being described as irrational and implausible beliefs; (2) some delusions can also enhance the sense that one’s life is meaningful, supporting agency and creativity in some circumstances. Delusions are not incomprehensible representations of reality. Rather, they can help make sense of one’s unusual experiences and in some circumstances even support one’s endeavours, albeit temporarily and imperfectly. Acknowledging that delusions have meaning and can also give meaning to people’s lives has implications for our understanding of psychotic symptoms and for addressing the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.

scholarly journals Inverse-square law between time and amplitude for crossing tipping thresholds

2019 ◽  
Vol 475 (2222) ◽  
pp. 20180504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ritchie ◽  
Özkan Karabacak ◽  
Jan Sieber
Keyword(s):  
Dynamical System ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Tipping Point ◽  
Dimensional System ◽  
Stochastic Forcing ◽  
Inverse Square Law ◽  
System A ◽  
Asymptotic Expressions ◽  
Higher Dimensional ◽  
Random Disturbances

A classical scenario for tipping is that a dynamical system experiences a slow parameter drift across a fold tipping point, caused by a run-away positive feedback loop. We study what happens if one turns around after one has crossed the threshold. We derive a simple criterion that relates how far the parameter exceeds the tipping threshold maximally and how long the parameter stays above the threshold to avoid tipping in an inverse-square law to observable properties of the dynamical system near the fold. For the case when the dynamical system is subject to stochastic forcing we give an approximation to the probability of tipping if a parameter changing in time reverses near the tipping point. The derived approximations are valid if the parameter change in time is sufficiently slow. We demonstrate for a higher-dimensional system, a model for the Indian summer monsoon, how numerically observed escape from the equilibrium converge to our asymptotic expressions. The inverse-square law between peak of the parameter forcing and the time the parameter spends above a given threshold is also visible in the level curves of equal probability when the system is subject to random disturbances.

scholarly journals Gauss–Bonnet black holes at the LHC: beyond the dimensionality of space

2004 ◽  
Vol 584 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 114-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Barrau ◽  
J. Grain ◽  
S. Alexeyev
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Dimensionality Of Space

scholarly journals EXPLORING FIFTH FORCE INTERACTIONS WITH 18TH CENTURY TECHNOLOGY

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2249-2254
Author(s):  
JASON H. STEFFEN
Keyword(s):  
18Th Century ◽  
The Other ◽  
Newtonian Gravity ◽  
Torsion Pendulum ◽  
Source Mass ◽  
Intermediate Range ◽  
Inverse Square Law ◽  
Fifth Force

Many theories which unify gravity with the other known forces of nature predict the existence of an intermediate-range "fifth force" similar to gravity. Such a force could be manifest as a deviation from the gravitational inverse-square law. Currently, at distances near 10-1 m, the inverse-square law is known to be correct to about one part per thousand. I present the design of an experiment that will improve this limit by two orders of magnitude. This is accomplished by constructing a torsion pendulum and source mass apparatus that are particularly insensitive to Newtonian gravity and, simultaneously, maximally sensitive to violations of the same.

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