Advisor Information
Andrew Newman
Location
UNO Criss Library, Room 232
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
3-3-2017 12:45 PM
End Date
3-3-2017 1:00 PM
Abstract
The property of mass as used in the physical sciences is somewhat of a metaphysical conundrum. Not only has the definition of mass changed with various paradigm shifts in physics, but the powers belonging to the property have also varied. In my study, I begin by examining the historical context surrounding the term, including the changes to its definition. In doing so, it is revealed that various definitions of mass are used and circulated in general discussion, so a cogent criterion of identity is established by which each definition can be measured. After determining the distinctions between each mass term, and which one is the real property, the philosophical implications are extended to the mass-energy equivalence problem. Using the previously argued for criterion of identity, term distinctions, and additional philosophical conditions provided by Francisco Flores, the available interpretations of the mass-energy problem are examined with the goal of finding the most plausible one. In the end, a detailed account of the mass property can be supplied for the metaphysician from a scientific point of view.
The Property of Mass: An Interdisciplinary Metaphysical Investigation
UNO Criss Library, Room 232
The property of mass as used in the physical sciences is somewhat of a metaphysical conundrum. Not only has the definition of mass changed with various paradigm shifts in physics, but the powers belonging to the property have also varied. In my study, I begin by examining the historical context surrounding the term, including the changes to its definition. In doing so, it is revealed that various definitions of mass are used and circulated in general discussion, so a cogent criterion of identity is established by which each definition can be measured. After determining the distinctions between each mass term, and which one is the real property, the philosophical implications are extended to the mass-energy equivalence problem. Using the previously argued for criterion of identity, term distinctions, and additional philosophical conditions provided by Francisco Flores, the available interpretations of the mass-energy problem are examined with the goal of finding the most plausible one. In the end, a detailed account of the mass property can be supplied for the metaphysician from a scientific point of view.