On Kant's first insight into the problem of space dimensionality and its physical foundations

TL;DR

This paper reexamines Kant's early ideas on the nature of space, arguing that his 1747 work does not support the common view linking space's three dimensions to Newtonian gravity, but rather focuses on extension.

Contribution

It clarifies Kant's original reasoning on space's dimensionality, challenging the traditional interpretation that connects it directly to Newton's law of gravitation.

Findings

Kant's 1747 work does not establish a link between space's dimensions and gravity.

The text primarily justifies the tridimensionality of extension, not space itself.

Reinterpretation of Kant's early philosophy on the foundations of space.

Abstract

In this article it is shown that a careful analysis of Kant's "Thoughts on the True Estimation of Living Forces" leads to a conclusion that does not match the usually accepted interpretation of Kant's reasoning in 1747, according to which the Young Kant supposedly establishes a relationship between the tridimensionality of space and Newton's law of universal gravitation. Indeed, it is argued that this text does not yield a satisfactory explanation of space dimensionality, actually restricting itself to justify the tridimensionality of extension.