Physics has evolved to question the fundamental concepts of space and time, from Newton's absolute view to Einstein's spacetime continuum, leading to conflicts with quantum mechanics and inspiring new theories like string theory. Leibniz proposed a relational view of space, suggesting it emerges from the relationships between elements, challenging the idea of space as a physically real fabric.
Insights
Newton's belief in absolute space and time clashed with Leibniz's relational view, where space and time are qualities of objects and their connections, not independent entities.
Einstein's theories of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space and time, presenting them as a 4-D spacetime continuum that can be warped by energy, challenging traditional static notions of space.