Consequences of the Idealist Interpretation for the Unity of Space

In this chapter, I discuss the first implication of the Idealist reading, pertaining to the (dis)unity of space. I consider both the spatial relatedness of bodies existing at any one time and of bodies existing at different times. My conclusion is that Idealist space is both synchronically and diachronically fragmented, more pronouncedly so in the diachronic case, there being no diachronic (cross-temporal) spatial relations at all. This is radically at odds with common sense. We all believe that there is a single (unified) space in which all bodies that ever exist – ancient Rome, Churchill’s desk and the apple I will eat tomorrow, to name but a few – are located.