The conventionality of geometry is merely incomplete
Roberts, B. W.
(2025).
The conventionality of geometry is merely incomplete.
Philosophy of Science,
https://doi.org/10.1017/psa.2025.10183
This article proves two no-go results against the conventionality of geometry. I then argue that any remaining conventionality arises from scientific incompleteness. I illustrate by introducing a new kind of conventionality arising in the presence of higher spatial dimensions, where the incompleteness is resolved by introducing new physical theories like Kaluza–Klein theory. Thus, conventional choices of this kind may guide scientific discovery, but if successful, they would dissolve the original conventional freedom.
| Item Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Copyright holders | © 2025 The Author |
| Departments | LSE > Research Centres > Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Sciences (CPNSS) |
| DOI | 10.1017/psa.2025.10183 |
| Date Deposited | 23 Oct 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | 22 Oct 2025 |
| URI | https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/129960 |
Explore Further
- https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025553581 (Scopus publication)
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0548-1280
