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Work #662 · Mid

The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung)

Ernst Mach
1883 · German
Philosophy of physics · Empiricist philosophy of physics / Austrian school

Mach's 1883 foundational empiricist philosophy of physics — critique of Newtonian absolute space and time

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung) (Mid)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Relational
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Relational
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung)

Central — relational vs. absolute time.

Space

The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung)

Central — relational vs. absolute space.

Matter

The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung)

The phenomenal-empirical material.

Observer

The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung)

The empirical-scientific observer.

Energy

The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung)

Energies of empirical-physical investigation.

Information

The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung)

Foundational empiricist physics framework.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

The Science of Mechanics (Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung)

Mach's relationalist critique of Newton was a major influence on Einstein's relativity.