Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
| |||
|
| |||
| Vectors: In physics, a vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction, represented by an arrow. It describes various physical quantities like force, velocity, and displacement in terms of their size and the direction they act in space. Vectors follow mathematical rules of addition and subtraction to depict their combined effects._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
| Author | Concept | Summary/Quotes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
|
John Bigelow on Vectors - Dictionary of Arguments
I 65 Vector/Newton/Bigelow/Pargetter: a vector explains the positions of the object, not vice versa. Problem: this seems to require the assumption that a body could have a velocity without taking several positions. Solution/Bigelow/Pargetter: the connection between velocity and positions is created so that the vector explains the change of position, not because it is defined by the change. >Definition, >Definability, >Explanation. Motion/location/change/position/change/status/Bigelow/Pargetter: although both are logically independent of each other, they are connected by physical laws. >Motion, >Change. Explanation/Theory/Explanation Direction/Bigelow/Pargetter: The theory of flux changes the direction of the explanation. >Flux/Bigelow. I 66 Independence/Explanation/Science/Bigelow/Pargetter: logical independence must not be pushed to the point where there is no relevant link between the entities. (Here properties of the 1st and 2nd level). >Independence, >Dependence. I 67 Independence/Movement/before/after/Pre-history/Determination/Ockhamists/Bigelow/Pargetter: Problem: at the top of a parabola (trajectory of a projectile), the body moves horizontally, but this is not independent of the before and after. Flux/Vector/Newton/Bigelow/Pargetter: considers the movement at this point as independent. There is at least one logical independence. Velocity/Newton/Bigelow/Pargetter: can be completely independent of 2nd level properties: e.g. transmission of velocities by impact. (+...) I 68 Consistency/Newton/Bigelow/Pargetter: after that, it is not even absurd to attribute a velocity of 0 to a body that does not move noticeably. Vector/Newton/Bigelow/Pargetter: therefore, it is not logically necessary that a vector is linked to attributes that change over time. Change of location/Ockham/Bigelow/Pargetter: when we look at the sequence of positions in time, the Ockhamists do not imply instantaneous velocity (entails). >William of Ockham, >Time. Malebranche/Change/Movement/Bigelow/Pargetter: (Ockhamist): according to Malebranche, God creates the object anew at every point. This is not a causal process. >Malebranche._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Big I J. Bigelow, R. Pargetter Science and Necessity Cambridge 1990 |
||
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-18