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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

176729

Minkowski space-time and thermodynamics

Friedel Weinert

pp. 239-256

Abstract

The paper discusses both geometric and axiomatic approaches to Minkowski space-time and argues that different inferences to the nature of space-time follow from them. Whilst the geometric approach leads to the traditional block universe view, the axiomatic approaches have as a philosophical consequence a dynamic view of space-time. Both approaches lead to opposite but equally consistent views of four-dimensional space-time. It is a case of underdetermination.

Publication details

Published in:

Petkov Vesselin (2010) Space, time, and spacetime: physical and philosophical implications of Minkowski's unification of space and time. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 239-256

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-13538-5_11

Full citation:

Weinert Friedel (2010) „Minkowski space-time and thermodynamics“, In: V. Petkov (ed.), Space, time, and spacetime, Dordrecht, Springer, 239–256.