Space as relation

TL;DR

This paper advocates for understanding physical space as a purely relational structure, challenging coordinate-based views and emphasizing the philosophical and conceptual advantages of the relational approach.

Contribution

It critically analyzes and argues for the philosophical superiority of a relational concept of space over coordinate-based models, proposing a radical redefinition of spatial understanding.

Findings

Relational space can encompass all necessary information about physical properties.

Coordinate-based space is philosophically less adequate than relational space.

The relational approach has profound implications for understanding physical reality.

Abstract

Here we will discuss the philosophical differences between an approach to the deep nature of physical space based on the concept of coordinates and one based on the concept of relation. The philosophical superiority of the second approach will be analysed and maintained, attempting to bring it to its extreme consequences. We will propose considering the concept of spatial dimension completely superfluous in favour of an idea of space as a pure relational structure, capable of including within itself the information necessary to define the properties of the things in the world.