Space from Zeno to Einstein: Classic Readings with a Contemporary Commentary

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Learning through original texts is considered a powerful heuristic tool. This volume collects 12 classic readings that are generally accepted as some of the most significant contributions to the philosophy of space. The readings have been selected both on the basis of their relevance to recent debates on the nature of space and on the extent to which they carry premonitions of contemporary physics. In his detailed commentaries, Nick Huggett aims to weave together the readings and link them to a modern understanding of the subject. Taken toegther the readings indicate the general historical development of the concept of space, and the editor explains their logical relations. One goal of the book is to prepare the reader (both scientist and non-scientist) to learn and understand relativity theory, on which lies the basis of late-1990s understanding of space. The readings are by Zeno, Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Descartes, Newton, Leibniz, Clarke, Berkeley, Kant, Mach, Poincare and Einstein.