The Shape of Space

This is a revised and updated edition of Graham Nerlich's classic book (1976). It develops a metaphysical account of space that treats it as a real and concrete entity, showing that shape plays a key explanatory role in space and spacetime theories. Arguing that geometrical explanation is very like causal explanation, Professor Nerlich prepares the ground for philosophical argument and investigates how different spaces would affect perception differently. Along the way Professor Nerlich criticizes and rejects conventionalism as a non-realist metaphysics of space, concluding that there is, in fact, no problem of underdetermination for this aspect of spacetime theories, while offering an extensive discussion of the relativity of motion.

• Revised and updated edition of classic work (1st edition published 1976) • Clear and well-written account of key topic in philosophy of science, suitable for teaching on graduate courses • No other book approaches this topic with same authority or from perspective of physical geometry
Contents

Introduction; 1. Space and spatial relations; 2. Hands, knees and absolute space; 3. Euclidean and other shapes; 4. Geometrical structures in space and spacetime; 5. Shapes and the imagination; 6. The aims of conventionalism; 7. Against conventionalism; 8. Reichenbach's treatment of topology; 9. Measuring space: fact or convention?; 10. The relativity of motion; Bibliography; Index.
Review

‘A fresh - and much needed - realistic perspective to the philosophy of space.’ Philosophia