Line 3: |
Line 3: |
| ==Origin== | | ==Origin== |
| [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Late Latin ''extension''-, ''extensio'', from [[Latin]] ''extendere'' 'stretch out'. | | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Late Latin ''extension''-, ''extensio'', from [[Latin]] ''extendere'' 'stretch out'. |
− | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century] | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century] |
| ==Definitions== | | ==Definitions== |
| *1a : the [[action]] of extending : state of being extended | | *1a : the [[action]] of extending : state of being extended |
Line 21: |
Line 21: |
| *8: a [[mathematical]] set (as a field or group) that includes a given and similar set as a subset | | *8: a [[mathematical]] set (as a field or group) that includes a given and similar set as a subset |
| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
− | In [[metaphysics]], '''extension''' is, roughly speaking, the property of "taking up [[space]]". [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descartes René Descartes] defines extension as the property of existing in more than one [[dimension]]. For Descartes, the primary characteristic of matter is extension, just as the primary characteristic of [[mind]] is [[consciousness]]. This can be contrasted with current conceptions in [[quantum]] physics, where the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck_length Planck length], an almost unimaginably tiny [[quantity]], represents reaching that distance scale where, it has been theorized, all measurement seemingly breaks down to that which can be subsumed at this scale, as distance only, or extension. | + | In [[metaphysics]], '''extension''' is, roughly speaking, the property of "taking up [[space]]". [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descartes René Descartes] defines extension as the property of existing in more than one [[dimension]]. For Descartes, the primary characteristic of matter is extension, just as the primary characteristic of [[mind]] is [[consciousness]]. This can be contrasted with current conceptions in [[quantum]] physics, where the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck_length Planck length], an almost unimaginably tiny [[quantity]], represents reaching that distance scale where, it has been theorized, all measurement seemingly breaks down to that which can be subsumed at this scale, as distance only, or extension. |
| | | |
− | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke John Locke], in ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Essay_Concerning_Human_Understanding An Essay Concerning Human Understanding]'', defined extension as "only the Space that lies between the Extremities of those solid coherent Parts" of a [[body]]. It is the space possessed by a body. Locke refers to the extension in conjunction with [[solidity]] and impenetrability, the other primary characteristics of matter. | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke John Locke], in ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Essay_Concerning_Human_Understanding An Essay Concerning Human Understanding]'', defined extension as "only the Space that lies between the Extremities of those solid coherent Parts" of a [[body]]. It is the space possessed by a body. Locke refers to the extension in conjunction with [[solidity]] and impenetrability, the other primary characteristics of matter. |
| | | |
− | Extension also plays an important part in the philosophy of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza Baruch Spinoza], who says that substance (that which has extension) can be limited only by substance of the same sort, i.e. [[matter]] cannot be limited by [[ideas]] and vice versa. From this principle, he determines that substance is [[infinite]]. This infinite substance is what Spinoza calls [[God]], or better yet [[nature]], and it possesses both unlimited extension and unlimited [[consciousness]]. | + | Extension also plays an important part in the philosophy of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza Baruch Spinoza], who says that substance (that which has extension) can be limited only by substance of the same sort, i.e. [[matter]] cannot be limited by [[ideas]] and vice versa. From this principle, he determines that substance is [[infinite]]. This infinite substance is what Spinoza calls [[God]], or better yet [[nature]], and it possesses both unlimited extension and unlimited [[consciousness]]. |
| | | |
− | The property of extension has not played a significant role in [[philosophy]] roughly since the time of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant Immanuel Kant]. Kant maintained a [[distinction]] between the [[mind]] and the body, differentiating [[space]] as the realm of the [[body]] and time the realm of the [[mind]]. He makes only cursory mention of "extension," however, and no philosophers have dealt extensively with the [[topic]] since Kant's writing. | + | The property of extension has not played a significant role in [[philosophy]] roughly since the time of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant Immanuel Kant]. Kant maintained a [[distinction]] between the [[mind]] and the body, differentiating [[space]] as the realm of the [[body]] and time the realm of the [[mind]]. He makes only cursory mention of "extension," however, and no philosophers have dealt extensively with the [[topic]] since Kant's writing. |
| | | |
| [[Category: Philosophy]] | | [[Category: Philosophy]] |