Supporting Abstract Relational Space-Time as Fundamental without Doctrinism against Emergence

TL;DR

This paper defends the view that space-time is fundamentally an abstract relational construct, arguing against the necessity of space as a substance, and explores the philosophical and physical implications of emergent relativity.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive discussion supporting the fundamental relational nature of space-time while critically examining ether-like models and emergent scenarios in modern physics.

Findings

Space-time is fundamentally relational despite models suggesting emergence.

Ether-like models offer valuable insights even when rejected at a deep level.

Emergent relativity implies a hierarchy of more fundamental space-times.

Abstract

Modern physics, via the standard model with Higgs mechanism and string theory for example, has supplied ether-like models and emergent general relativity scenarios that substantially weaken the usual defense of orthodox relativity and abstract, relational space-time in general. Over a dozen arguments in support of relativism against space-substances are discussed. It is not known whether perceived space-time is fundamental or due to a condensed state or string theoretical membrane. Emergent relativity indicates perhaps a whole tower of more fundamental space-times. Whether space is best described as a thing, an emergent phenomenon, or instead Kant's necessary, a priori pre-condition of the possibility of all phenomena, depends on which space-time is under consideration. Nevertheless, space-time is fundamentally abstract relational. This is supported by throughout acknowledging as well as illustrating the value of space-substance models, yet still keeping firm in refusing them on the deepest level. The gist is that even while refusing, physics and philosophy gain more from ether concepts than from plainly refusing them.