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Brent Mundy [28]Brent Hollis Mundy [1]
  1. The metaphysics of quantity.Brent Mundy - 1987 - Philosophical Studies 51 (1):29 - 54.
    A formal theory of quantity T Q is presented which is realist, Platonist, and syntactically second-order (while logically elementary), in contrast with the existing formal theories of quantity developed within the theory of measurement, which are empiricist, nominalist, and syntactically first-order (while logically non-elementary). T Q is shown to be formally and empirically adequate as a theory of quantity, and is argued to be scientifically superior to the existing first-order theories of quantity in that it does not depend upon empirically (...)
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  2. On the general theory of meaningful representation.Brent Mundy - 1986 - Synthese 67 (3):391 - 437.
    The numerical representations of measurement, geometry and kinematics are here subsumed under a general theory of representation. The standard theories of meaningfulness of representational propositions in these three areas are shown to be special cases of two theories of meaningfulness for arbitrary representational propositions: the theories based on unstructured and on structured representation respectively. The foundations of the standard theories of meaningfulness are critically analyzed and two basic assumptions are isolated which do not seem to have received adequate justification: the (...)
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  3. Relational theories of euclidean space and Minkowski spacetime.Brent Mundy - 1983 - Philosophy of Science 50 (2):205-226.
    We here present explicit relational theories of a class of geometrical systems (namely, inner product spaces) which includes Euclidean space and Minkowski spacetime. Using an embedding approach suggested by the theory of measurement, we prove formally that our theories express the entire empirical content of the corresponding geometric theory in terms of empirical relations among a finite set of elements (idealized point-particles or events) thought of as embedded in the space. This result is of interest within the general phenomenalist tradition (...)
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  4.  89
    Elementary categorial logic, predicates of variable degree, and theory of quantity.Brent Mundy - 1989 - Journal of Philosophical Logic 18 (2):115 - 140.
    Developing some suggestions of Ramsey (1925), elementary logic is formulated with respect to an arbitrary categorial system rather than the categorial system of Logical Atomism which is retained in standard elementary logic. Among the many types of non-standard categorial systems allowed by this formalism, it is argued that elementary logic with predicates of variable degree occupies a distinguished position, both for formal reasons and because of its potential value for application of formal logic to natural language and natural science. This (...)
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  5. Space-Time and Isomorphism.Brent Mundy - 1992 - PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1992 (Volume One: Contributed Papers):515-527.
    Earman and Norton argue that manifold realism leads to inequivalence of Leibniz-shifted space-time models, with undesirable consequences such as indeterminism. I respond that intrinsic axiomatization of space-time geometry shows the variant models to be isomorphic with respect to the physically meaningful geometric predicates, and therefore certainly physically equivalent because no theory can characterize its models more closely than this. The contrary philosophical arguments involve confusions about identity and representation of space-time points, fostered by extrinsic coordinate formulations and irrelevant modal metaphysics. (...)
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  6. Optical axiomatization of Minkowski space-time geometry.Brent Mundy - 1986 - Philosophy of Science 53 (1):1-30.
    Minkowski geometry is axiomatized in terms of the asymmetric binary relation of optical connectibility, using ten first-order axioms and the second-order continuity axiom. An axiom system in terms of the symmetric binary optical connection relation is also presented. The present development is much simpler than the corresponding work of Robb, upon which it is modeled.
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  7.  70
    Distant action in classical electromagnetic theory.Brent Mundy - 1989 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 40 (1):39-68.
    The standard mathematical apparatus of classical electromagnetic theory in Minkowski space-time allows an interpretation in terms of retarded distant action, as well as the standard field interpretation. This interpretation is here presented and defended as a scientifically significant alternative to the field theory, casting doubt upon the common view that classical electromagnetic theory provides scientific support for the physical existence of fields as fundamental entities. The various types of consideration normally thought to provide evidence for the existence of the electromagnetic (...)
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  8.  79
    The Physical Content of Minkowski Geometry.Brent Mundy - 1986 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 37 (1):25-54.
    The standard coordinate-based formulation of the space-time theory of special relativity (Minkowski geometry) is philosophically unsatisfactory for various reasons. We here present an explicit axiomatic formulation of that theory in terms of primitives with a definitive physical interpretation, prove its equivalence to the standard coordinate formulation, and draw various philosophical conclusions concerning the physical content and assumptions of the space-time theory. The prevalent causal interpretation of physical Minkowski geometry deriving from Reichenbach is criticised on the basis of the present formulation.
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  9. Extensive measurement and ratio functions.Brent Mundy - 1988 - Synthese 75 (1):1 - 23.
    Extensive measurement theory is developed in terms of theratio of two elements of an arbitrary (not necessarily Archimedean) extensive structure; thisextensive ratio space is a special case of a more general structure called aratio space. Ratio spaces possess a natural family of numerical scales (r-scales) which are definable in non-representational terms; ther-scales for an extensive ratio space thus constitute a family of numerical scales (extensive r-scales) for extensive structures which are defined in a non-representational manner. This is interpreted as involving (...)
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  10.  68
    Embedding and uniqueness in relational theories of space.Brent Mundy - 1986 - Synthese 67 (3):383 - 390.
  11.  88
    Faithful representation, physical extensive measurement theory and archimedean axioms.Brent Mundy - 1987 - Synthese 70 (3):373 - 400.
    The formal methods of the representational theory of measurement (RTM) are applied to the extensive scales of physical science, with some modifications of interpretation and of formalism. The interpretative modification is in the direction of theoretical realism rather than the narrow empiricism which is characteristic of RTM. The formal issues concern the formal representational conditions which extensive scales should be assumed to satisfy; I argue in the physical case for conditions related to weak rather than strong extensive measurement, in the (...)
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  12.  44
    Derivation of the lorentz transformations from the constancy of the speed of light.Brent Mundy - 1983 - Philosophical Studies 44 (3):291-303.
  13.  61
    Scientific theory as partially interpreted calculus.Brent Mundy - 1987 - Erkenntnis 27 (2):173 - 196.
  14.  59
    On quantitative relationist theories.Brent Mundy - 1989 - Philosophy of Science 56 (4):582-600.
    Mundy (1983) presented the formal apparatus of certain relationist theories of space and space-time taking quantitative relations as primitive. The present paper discusses the philosophical and physical interpretation of such theories, and replies to some objections to such theories and to relationism in general raised in Field (1985). Under an appropriate second-order naturalistic Platonist interpretation of the formalism, quantitative relationist theories are seen to be entirely comparable to spatialist ones in respect of the issues raised by Field. Moreover, it appears (...)
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  15.  12
    (1 other version)Physics, Philosophy, and Psychoanalysis.Brent Mundy - 1985 - Philosophy of Science 52 (2):318-320.
  16.  43
    Corrigendum.Brent Mundy - 1985 - Philosophical Studies 47 (1):159 - 160.
    No categories
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  17.  64
    Scientific theory as partially interpreted calculus II.Brent Mundy - 1988 - Erkenntnis 28 (2):165 - 183.
  18. Embedding and uniqueness in relationist theories.Brent Mundy - 1991 - Philosophy of Science 58 (1):102-124.
    Relationist theories of space or space-time based on embedding of a physical relational system A into a corresponding geometrical system B raise problems associated with the degree of uniqueness of the embedding. Such uniqueness problems are familiar in the representational theory of measurement (RTM), and are dealt with by imposing a condition of uniqueness of embeddings up to composition with an "admissible transformation" of the space B. Friedman (1983) presents an alternative treatment of the uniqueness problem for embedding relationist theories, (...)
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  19. Special relativity and quantum measurement.Brent Mundy - 1986 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 37 (2):207-212.
    In Mundy [a] I offered an axiomatic analysis of the physical content of the kinematics of special relativity which suggests that, contrary to common belief, there is no incompatibility between special relativity and spacelike (faster-than-light) causation. An anonymous referee pointed out that this conclusion might have some bearing on problems in the interpretation of quantum mechanics such as the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen problem, since one line of solution to these problems involves the postulation of spacelike causal processes. The present note will develop (...)
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  20.  39
    Understanding the Space-Time Concepts of Special Relativity. Arthur Evett.Brent Mundy - 1983 - Philosophy of Science 50 (3):518-518.
  21.  59
    Methodology, Epistemology, and Philosophy: Essays in Honour of Wolfgang Stegmüller on the Occasion of His 60th Birthday.Brent Mundy - 1989 - Philosophy of Science 56 (2):361-362.
  22.  37
    Polish Essays in the Philosophy of the Natural Sciences. Wladyslaw Krajewski.Brent Mundy - 1985 - Philosophy of Science 52 (1):166-167.
  23.  34
    (1 other version)Mathematical Physics and Elementary Logic.Brent Mundy - 1990 - PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1990:289 - 301.
    I outline an intrinsic (coordinate-free) formulation of classical particle mechanics, making no use of set theory or second-order logic. Physical quantities are accepted as real, but are constrained only by elementary axioms. This contrasts with the formulations of Field and Burgess, in which space-time regions are accepted as real and are assumed to satisfy second-order comprehension axioms. The present formulation is both logically simpler and physically more realistic. The theory is finitely axiomatizable, elementary, and even quantifier-free, but is provably empirically (...)
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  24.  60
    On empirical interpretation.Brent Mundy - 1990 - Erkenntnis 33 (3):345 - 369.
    The view that scientific theories are partially interpreted deductive systems (theoretical deductivism) is defended against recent criticisms by Hempel. Hempel argues that the reliance of theoretical inferences (both from observation to theory and also from theory to theory) uponceteris paribus conditions orprovisos must prevent theories from establishing deductive connections among observations. In reply I argue, first, that theoretical deductivism does not in fact require the establishing of such deductive connections: I offer alternative H-D analyses of these inferences. Second, I argue (...)
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  25.  18
    Physics as Natural Philosophy: Essays in Honor of Laszlo Tisza on His Seventy-Fifth Birthday. A. Shimony, H. Feshbach.Brent Mundy - 1987 - Philosophy of Science 54 (1):134-135.
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  26.  17
    Review of The Limitations of Deductivism by A. Grunbaum; W. Salmon. [REVIEW]Brent Mundy - 1991 - Philosophy of Science 58 (4):698-699.