Philosophy of Space

Chris Duggan

Highlights

Physical vs. Psychological Space Absolute vs. Relative Space Innate vs. Learned Euclidian vs. Non-Euclidian Metric Newton Leibniz Berkeley

Highlights

Kant Nativism vs. Empiricism Poincaré Piaget Gesalt Gibson Animals

Physical vs. Psychological Space

Does space exist outside of what we have constructed in our minds?

Physical Space: Space that exists independent from the mind Based on the external World

Psychological Space: Constructed by the mind Based on motor-sensory experience

Physical vs. Psychological Space

Does space exist outside of what we have constructed in our minds?

Physical Space: Space that exists independent from the mind Based on the external World

Psychological Space: Constructed by the mind Based on motor-sensory experience

Absolute vs. Relative Space

Absolute Space: A framework within which objects can

be located Independent of the objects Contiguous and whole Everything occurs within this space

Absolute vs. Relative Space

Relative Space: A set of relationships between objects

Based on sensory inputs Intrinsically non-spatial

Does not exist independent of objects

Innate vs. Learned

Is our concept of space something we are born with or is it learned through experience?

Innate: Structure and function of brain areas is

specified by genes

Independent of experience

Innate vs. Learned

Learned: Structure and function of brain areas is

determined by experience

Experiences directly impact the organization of neural substrates

Euclidian vs. Non-Euclidian

Euclidian: Geometry Cognitive Map

Non-Euclidian Spaces of more than 3 dimensions Mathematically cogent

Newton

Absolute space Physics

Relative space is determined by senses Not directly available to senses

Based on objects and their relationships within the absolute space

Reasonable approximation

Leibniz

Creationist

Could not accept atoms as fundamental building blocks

Denied existence of physical space

Monads and the mondaic realm Intangible

No matter, no causal interaction, no time, and no space

Berkeley

Also denied existence of physical space

Nothing exists outside of the mind

Space is a construct based on sensation Regions of least resistance

Amount of movement between sensations

Kant

Early

Space is absolute, but:

Not a property of physical world

A way of perceiving

Circular argument

Later

Accepted Newtonian absolute space

Similar incongruent objects

Left and right hands

Inherent reference to space

Kant

3 types of knowledge:

1. Analytic a priori

Not verifiable in external world Independent of experience

2. Synthetic a posteriori

Verifiable with reference to external world Based on experience

3. Synthetic a priori

Empirical Innate Concept of space

Nativism vs. Empiricism

Nativism Innate Muller

Organization of sensory apparatus Spatial positions of retinal activity

Nativist theories should demonstrate1. Automatic mechanisms2. Explanation of improvement

Problem: Height of image on retina

Nativism vs. Empiricism

Empiricism

Experience responsible for all knowledge about space

How can organisms start from scratch?

Empiricist theories should demonstrate:1. Blank slate2. Means of verifying that knowledge about space can be

obtained from experience

Problem:

Cannot acquire ability to “not see” optical illusions

Poincaré

Empiricist

Egocentric spatial concept

Axis extending from body Derived from interaction between motor system and

sensation

Two types of external change:

1. Location Can account for change and regain original viewpoint

2. State Cannot be corrected for by some internal change

Piaget

Empiricist

Constructivist model

Assimilation

Accomodation

Structure of organism interacts with the world in the absence of a priori knowledge

Actions directed at objects Relexes

Gesalt

Nativist

Emphasized importance of pattern of activity Koffka

Geographical Field Physical space

Behavioral Field Psychological space

Lewin

Topological Psychology Defining spatial relationships without measurement

Life Space

Gibson

Nativist Distinction between:

Visual Field (unstable) If observer moves so too does visual field

Visual World (stable) If object moves visual field remains stable

Space Perception by Animals

Maze learning major impetus Initially thought to S-R association

Importance of distal cues Rotation Temporal Maze

Tolman’s Cognitive Map Represent spatial relationships