Richard T W Arthur
Biographic Data
| ID | 5756167 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Richard T W Arthur |
| GIVEN NAMES | Richard T W |
| FAMILY NAME | Arthur |
| SIGNATURE | ARTHUR R T W |
| AFFILIATIONS | McMaster University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0609-9721 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 13 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 6 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 12 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1988 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Monads and Points, Contiguity and Transcreation
In this essay I explore Leibniz’s changing views on the relation of substance to the continuum, with special attention to his calling the fundamental units of reality “metaphysical points”. I trace the development of his thought on this question, and on his notions of “physical” and “mathematical” points, from the early 1670s through to the end. I note certain enigmas on the way; namely, his notions of “transcreation” and “indistant” points, his …
Monads, situation, and infinite explanation
Many scholars hold that Leibniz's monads are not located in space at all, and some attribute situations to simple substances directly. A more nuanced position is that monads have a situation only indirectly, namely through the situation of their bodies. It has been objected, however, that this intermediate position is untenable since it involves a viciously circular argument. Leibniz is clear that the situation is the basis for the extension. But…
Leibniz from Oxford
Leibniz
On the significance of A. A. Robb’s philosophy of time, especially in relation to Bertrand Russell’s
The aim of this paper is to explain the significance of Alfred A. Robb’s philosophy of time stemming from his interpretation of relativity theory; and at the same time, to investigate the reasons for the failure of his philosophical contemporaries to appreciate its significance, with special attention to its reception on Russell’s part. The study of Russell’s reaction to Robb exposes shortcomings in Russell’s own philosophy of time, which has bee…
The Labyrinth of the Continuum
This chapter traces Leibniz’s developing thought on the continuum problem from its earliest manifestation in the Theory of Abstract Motion to his last writings. Leibniz is adamant that his mature theory of substance is intended to solve the continuum problem: that is, what are the foundations of matter, given that it is infinitely divided, and how are bodies constituted from these foundations? How can motion be constituted from endeavours (instan…
The Cambridge Descartes Lexicon
The Cambridge Descartes Lexicon is the definitive reference source on René Descartes, 'the father of modern philosophy' and arguably among the most important philosophers of all time. Examining the full range of Descartes' achievements and legacy, it includes 256 in-depth entries that explain key concepts relating to his thought. Cumulatively they uncover interpretative disputes, trace his influences, and explain how his work was received by crit…
Beeckman's Discrete Moments and Descartes' Disdain
Descartes' allusions, in the Meditations and the Principles, to the individual moments of duration, has for some years stirred controversy over whether this commits him to a kind of time atomism. The origins of Descartes' way of treating moments as least intervals of duration can be traced back to his early collaboration with Isaac Beeckman. Where Beeckman (in 1618) conceived of moments as (mathematically divisible) physical indivisibles, corresp…
Leibniz and the Natural World
In 1900 Bertrand Russell noted memorably that on first reading Leibniz he felt ‘that the Monadology was a kind of fantastic fairy tale, coherent perhaps, but wholly arbitrary’ (A Critical Exposition of the Philosophy of Leibniz, p. xvii). This, indeed, is how it still comes out on the dominant interpretation in the English‐speaking world. For on this idealist reading, Leibniz is portrayed as identifying the true referents of our thoughts and perc…
Mathematischer, naturwissenschaftlicher und technischer Briefwechsel. Volume 4
Newton's fluxions and equably flowing time
Space and Relativity in Newton and Leibniz
In this paper I challenge the usual interpretations of Newton's and Leibniz's views on the nature of space and the relativity of motion. Newton's ‘relative space’ is not a reference frame; and Leibniz did not regard space as defined with respect to actual enduring bodies. Newton did not subscribe to the relativity of intertial motions; whereas Leibniz believed no body to be at rest, and Newton's absolute motion to be a useful fiction. A more accu…
Continuous Creation, Continuous Time
Continuous Creation, Continuous Time: A Refutation of the Alleged Discontinuity of Cartesian Time RICHARD T. W. ARTHUR 1. INTRODUCTION ACCORDING to Yvon Belaval, ~ "everyone knows that time is discontinuous" in Descartes' philosophy, and as an assessment of received opinion on the subject , this statement can hardly be faulted. For all commentators on Descartes this century have followed Kemp Smith, Vigier, and Wahl in asserting the discontinuity…
Newton's fluxions and equably flowing time
Space and Relativity in Newton and Leibniz
In this paper I challenge the usual interpretations of Newton's and Leibniz's views on the nature of space and the relativity of motion. Newton's ‘relative space’ is not a reference frame; and Leibniz did not regard space as defined with respect to actual enduring bodies. Newton did not subscribe to the relativity of intertial motions; whereas Leibniz believed no body to be at rest, and Newton's absolute motion to be a useful fiction. A more accu…
Continuous Creation, Continuous Time
Continuous Creation, Continuous Time: A Refutation of the Alleged Discontinuity of Cartesian Time RICHARD T. W. ARTHUR 1. INTRODUCTION ACCORDING to Yvon Belaval, ~ "everyone knows that time is discontinuous" in Descartes' philosophy, and as an assessment of received opinion on the subject , this statement can hardly be faulted. For all commentators on Descartes this century have followed Kemp Smith, Vigier, and Wahl in asserting the discontinuity…
Space and Relativity in Newton and Leibniz
In this paper I challenge the usual interpretations of Newton's and Leibniz's views on the nature of space and the relativity of motion. Newton's ‘relative space’ is not a reference frame; and Leibniz did not regard space as defined with respect to actual enduring bodies. Newton did not subscribe to the relativity of intertial motions; whereas Leibniz believed no body to be at rest, and Newton's absolute motion to be a useful fiction. A more accu…
Newton's fluxions and equably flowing time
Mathematischer, naturwissenschaftlicher und technischer Briefwechsel. Volume 4
Leibniz and the Natural World
In 1900 Bertrand Russell noted memorably that on first reading Leibniz he felt ‘that the Monadology was a kind of fantastic fairy tale, coherent perhaps, but wholly arbitrary’ (A Critical Exposition of the Philosophy of Leibniz, p. xvii). This, indeed, is how it still comes out on the dominant interpretation in the English‐speaking world. For on this idealist reading, Leibniz is portrayed as identifying the true referents of our thoughts and perc…
Beeckman's Discrete Moments and Descartes' Disdain
Descartes' allusions, in the Meditations and the Principles, to the individual moments of duration, has for some years stirred controversy over whether this commits him to a kind of time atomism. The origins of Descartes' way of treating moments as least intervals of duration can be traced back to his early collaboration with Isaac Beeckman. Where Beeckman (in 1618) conceived of moments as (mathematically divisible) physical indivisibles, corresp…
The Cambridge Descartes Lexicon
The Cambridge Descartes Lexicon is the definitive reference source on René Descartes, 'the father of modern philosophy' and arguably among the most important philosophers of all time. Examining the full range of Descartes' achievements and legacy, it includes 256 in-depth entries that explain key concepts relating to his thought. Cumulatively they uncover interpretative disputes, trace his influences, and explain how his work was received by crit…
The Labyrinth of the Continuum
This chapter traces Leibniz’s developing thought on the continuum problem from its earliest manifestation in the Theory of Abstract Motion to his last writings. Leibniz is adamant that his mature theory of substance is intended to solve the continuum problem: that is, what are the foundations of matter, given that it is infinitely divided, and how are bodies constituted from these foundations? How can motion be constituted from endeavours (instan…
Leibniz from Oxford
Leibniz
On the significance of A. A. Robb’s philosophy of time, especially in relation to Bertrand Russell’s
The aim of this paper is to explain the significance of Alfred A. Robb’s philosophy of time stemming from his interpretation of relativity theory; and at the same time, to investigate the reasons for the failure of his philosophical contemporaries to appreciate its significance, with special attention to its reception on Russell’s part. The study of Russell’s reaction to Robb exposes shortcomings in Russell’s own philosophy of time, which has bee…
Monads, situation, and infinite explanation
Many scholars hold that Leibniz's monads are not located in space at all, and some attribute situations to simple substances directly. A more nuanced position is that monads have a situation only indirectly, namely through the situation of their bodies. It has been objected, however, that this intermediate position is untenable since it involves a viciously circular argument. Leibniz is clear that the situation is the basis for the extension. But…
Monads and Points, Contiguity and Transcreation
In this essay I explore Leibniz’s changing views on the relation of substance to the continuum, with special attention to his calling the fundamental units of reality “metaphysical points”. I trace the development of his thought on this question, and on his notions of “physical” and “mathematical” points, from the early 1670s through to the end. I note certain enigmas on the way; namely, his notions of “transcreation” and “indistant” points, his …
Epistemology (12 works) · Philosophy (12 works) · Historical Philosophy and Science (8 works) · Linguistics (5 works) · Mathematics (5 works) · Physics (5 works) · Theoretical physics (5 works) · Archaeology (3 works) · Classical mechanics (3 works) · Classical Philosophy and Thought (3 works)