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