Newtonian Absolute Space

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Newtonian Absolute Space

When Newton proposed his axioms describing fundamental laws of physics, he
insisted on the necessity of absolute space to a completed theory of mechanics.
Absolute space can be best described as not-relationally-dependent space. Newton
purports that there is something more to space than just being a vessel to
conceptualize positional differences between specific bodies; he claims that
there is some objective truth to space -- that spatial differences are not
dependent upon the matter contained within space. In his Principia, he states
that the difference of relational and absolute space becomes manifest in the
consideration of place, velocity, and acceleration. These considerations serve
to metaphysically establish absolute space in themselves. However, Newton
attempts to support the existence experimentally in his famous 'bucket
experiment'. Through an explication of his reasoning and an analysis of his
motivation, I intend to show that Newton's notion of space is, at best,
incomplete. Newton describes the difference between absolute and relative space
in the scholium to definition eight in the Principia: "Absolute
space...without relation to anything external, remains similar and immovable.
Relative space is some movable dimension or measure of the absolute spaces"
(152). His first relevant explication in the scholium is of place. Place is that
which a body occupies in space. Absolute place differs from relative place in
that it requires no relationship to any other body to be determined; it is
determined by the construct of absolute space itself. Absolute motion, then, is
the translation of a body from one absolute position to another. In the same
trend, absolute velocity is constant absolute motion in time, and absolute
acceleration is a change in absolute velocity in time. With that clearly laid
out, Newton has explicitly shown how absolute space is conceptually applied to
mechanics. The validity of absolute space in itself still remains in question.
These definitions of absolute mechanics are, in fact, used retroactively to
validate the existence of absolute space. In using discussions of absolute
place, velocity, and acceleration, Newton's proponents hope to show that there
is a difference between these and their relational counterparts. There is an
inherent flaw, though, in arguing for an independent, self-evident difference
between absolute and relational in considering place or velocity. However,
acceleration, as consid...

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