Quantum Gravity and Mereology: Not So Simple

Philosophical Quarterly 72 (1):19-40 (2021)
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Abstract

A number of philosophers have argued in favour of extended simples on the grounds that they are needed by fundamental physics. The arguments typically appeal to theories of quantum gravity. To date, the argument in favour of extended simples has ignored the fact that the very existence of spacetime is put under pressure by quantum gravity. We thus consider the case for extended simples in the context of different views on the existence of spacetime. We show that the case for extended simples based on physics is far more complex than has been previously thought. We present and then map this complexity, in order to present a much more textured picture of the argument for extended simples.

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Author Profiles

Baptiste Le Bihan
University of Geneva
Sam Baron
University of Melbourne

Citations of this work

Extended Simples, Unextended Complexes.Claudio Calosi - 2023 - Journal of Philosophical Logic 52 (2):643-668.
Metaphysics of Quantum Gravity.Baptiste Le Bihan, and & Annica Vieser - 2024 - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Mereological Models of Spacetime Emergence.Jessica Pohlmann - 2024 - Philosophy Compass 19 (7):e13003.
Regions, extensions, distances, diameters.Claudio Calosi - 2024 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 109 (2):612-629.

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References found in this work

Quantum Gravity.Carlo Rovelli - 2004 - Cambridge University Press.
String Theory and the Scientific Method.Richard Dawid - 2013 - Cambridge University Press.
Spacetime is as spacetime does.Vincent Lam & Christian Wüthrich - 2018 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 64:39-51.
Have we Lost Spacetime on the Way? Narrowing the Gap between General Relativity and Quantum Gravity.Baptiste Le Bihan & Niels Siegbert Linnemann - 2019 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 65 (C):112-121.

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