How to Draw a Simple Map of the Earth: A Philosophical Examination of the Unmappability Thesis - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

HOW TO DRAW A SIMPLE MAP OF THE EARTH: A PHILOSOPHICAL EXAMINATION OF THE UNMAPPABILITY THESIS contains a philosophical investigation of the unmappability thesis, which holds that a 3-dimensional curved surface cannot be mapped in 2-dimensions. As a result, it is not possible to map the earth accurately. The book argues that the thesis is based on a number of philosophical errors, which highlight the failure of those in mathematics and the sciences to open up their fields to outside analysis. The most prominent of these is the DIVISIBILITY FALLACY, which holds that a curve is infinitely divisible; and retains its curve, no matter how often the curve is divided. The author argues, from a pragmatic perspective, that this is a fundamental philosophical error. The work on the unmappability problem also commits the EXISTENCE ERROR, which holds that "pure theory" can be applied, without adjustment and correction, to the objects in the existing world. The book also argues that philosophy has an empirical side, and that the philosophical analysis proceeds by virtue of a dialectic between theory and practice. Philosophy remains the Queen of the sciences, and should exercise a supervisory role over other disciplines. These observations have institutional and academic implications for those working in mathematics and the sciences. The book provides a philosophical analysis of the unmappability thesis and provides a variety of simple maps and illustrations, which explore the task facing cartographers in drawing an accurate map of the world. The book argues that an accurate map will respect the PRINCIPLE OF UBIQUITY and provides the plan of a UBIQUITOUS PROJECTION. This projection is based on a composite of local maps and appears to map the major landmasses on the earth in a way that satisfies the principal criteria of an accurate map. The book then explores a number of issues regarding the arrangement of the major landmasses on a global map. The ubiquitous projection raises questions, for example, about our system of geographical co-ordinates and the prejudices evident in conventional global maps. The book briefly touches on a few more technical issues and contains an appendix, with an older philosophical discussion, which covers much of the same ground as the discussion at the beginning of the book.

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