Inconsistent boundaries

Z. Weber; A.J. Cotnoir

doi:10.1007/s11229-014-0614-z

Inconsistent boundaries

Z. Weber, A.J. Cotnoir

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Mereotopology is a theory of connected parts. The existence of boundaries, as parts of everyday objects, is basic to any such theory; but in classical mereotopology, there is a problem: if boundaries exist, then either distinct entities cannot be in contact, or else space is not topologically connected (Varzi in Noûs 31:26–58, 1997). In this paper we urge that this problem can be met with a paraconsistent mereotopology, and sketch the details of one such approach. The resulting theory focuses attention on the role of empty parts, in delivering a balanced and bounded metaphysics of naive space.

Original language	English
Journal	Synthese
Volume	In Press
Early online date	11 Dec 2014
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-014-0614-z
Publication status	Published - Dec 2014

Keywords

Mereology
Paraconsistent logic
Spatial representation

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10.1007/s11229-014-0614-z

Inconsistent Boundaries
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014. This work is made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. This is the author created, accepted version manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11229-014-0614-z
Accepted author manuscript, 342 KB

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abstract = "Mereotopology is a theory of connected parts. The existence of boundaries, as parts of everyday objects, is basic to any such theory; but in classical mereotopology, there is a problem: if boundaries exist, then either distinct entities cannot be in contact, or else space is not topologically connected (Varzi in No{\^u}s 31:26–58, 1997). In this paper we urge that this problem can be met with a paraconsistent mereotopology, and sketch the details of one such approach. The resulting theory focuses attention on the role of empty parts, in delivering a balanced and bounded metaphysics of naive space.",

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N2 - Mereotopology is a theory of connected parts. The existence of boundaries, as parts of everyday objects, is basic to any such theory; but in classical mereotopology, there is a problem: if boundaries exist, then either distinct entities cannot be in contact, or else space is not topologically connected (Varzi in Noûs 31:26–58, 1997). In this paper we urge that this problem can be met with a paraconsistent mereotopology, and sketch the details of one such approach. The resulting theory focuses attention on the role of empty parts, in delivering a balanced and bounded metaphysics of naive space.

AB - Mereotopology is a theory of connected parts. The existence of boundaries, as parts of everyday objects, is basic to any such theory; but in classical mereotopology, there is a problem: if boundaries exist, then either distinct entities cannot be in contact, or else space is not topologically connected (Varzi in Noûs 31:26–58, 1997). In this paper we urge that this problem can be met with a paraconsistent mereotopology, and sketch the details of one such approach. The resulting theory focuses attention on the role of empty parts, in delivering a balanced and bounded metaphysics of naive space.

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KW - Paraconsistent logic

KW - Spatial representation

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M3 - Article

SN - 0039-7857

VL - In Press

JO - Synthese

JF - Synthese

ER -

Inconsistent boundaries

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Keywords

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