Physical space and process theory : some theoretical considerations from an historical geographic viewpoint

Abstract

It is strange to note that the discussion of the physical traits of space has, with few exceptions, shifted on the one hand into atomic, and on the other into cosmic dimensions, thus departing from the historical geographic order of magnitude and from the sphere of experience of Euclid and Newton. As a result, the amount of apparative and mathematical effort put in has steadily increased, while at the same time, the scientific works on the subject have become less and less accessible to the representatives of other disciplines, and more and more difficult to fathom. On the other hand, the discussion of theories relating to space are of paramount importance to geography and history, sociology and anthropology alike; these sciences are thinking in three-dimensional space), but it seems clear, that the actions and processes taking place in human society, and between human being and the environment, are only comprehensible in a spatiotemporal context. In physics for more than half a century fourdimensional space is a basic assumption, but a comprehensive theory which unites space, process, hierarchy, matter, structure, and energy is not yet achieved. The following paper will be an attempt to approach this subjectmatter in the historical geographic order of magnitude again, from the point of view of human society. The treatise is based on inductive theory and is concerned with mankind and its populations in the environment, as well as its systemic build-up and the processes maintaining or changing it). An investigation of structures and processes in the world of our daily experiences has the advantage of direct observation. Although this paper is written by a geographer, the addressees should be first of all natural scientists, especially physicists and astronomers. Lateron, in a second step, the position of geography, history, sociology, anthropology and other sciences in the frame of this theory should be examined. May a non-physicist and non-mathematician thus be permitted to present some findings and considerations that could be of interest for discussions of physical space in general. The hermeneutic approach was given special attention for this purpose, according to which the meaning of the phenomena and processes on society or nature is sought and an interpretation attempted from there). The chief object of these lines is to introduce the basic theoretical conception, though a subtile discussion of the thoughts related to existing physical theories is not intended. This aspect will have to be dealt with in later papers. The same goes for the formalization of the statements made. It is my opinion, that theories must first be conceived verbally as logically selfcontained constructs before a mathematical definition can be ventured.