• Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
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• v.116
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• pp.1-31
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• 2010

This Article studies a meaning of geometrical-mathematical spatial idea in the source of modern theories of space. Modern theories of space elucidated a relation of human and space through the geometrical terms; point, line, plane and extension etc. Descartes and Newton identified space as a natural realty, Leibniz and Kant elucidated space as a subjective idea or form. It is the result of modern spatial theories that space is lied nearly in human. In the meaning of natural space, space is empirically unfolded with a shape of measuring in front of human's eyes. In the meaning of cognitional space, space is a method or subjective cognitional form that human understands nature and constitutes world. Modern theories of space would be divided into four patterns. In Newton's theory space is absolutely prior to things. In Leibniz' theory space is a co-existence order of Monads. In Descartes's theory space is identified with extension. In Kant's theory space is cognitional form of subject. They all are confronted with each other in the source of space. In their confrontation they reflected on the relation of human and space in their own standpoint. We classify their particularly differential concepts of space into natural space and cognitional space. And then we analyze a difference of spatial meanings, and then investigate foundations of meaning of modern theories of space. On the one hand they are become to the source of alienation of human from space. But on the other they are contributed to get space familiar with human through a wakening for the correlation of human and space. The natural space indicates that with measurable shape space is extended really in front of human's experiential eyes. But the cognitional space elucidates that space is only a subjective idea or form with which human understands nature and constructs world. In the former it is embossed that space is independent to human, and is able to be measured and to be treated according to natural raws. In the latter it is evidenced that space is not separated to human, and that space is not without human, and a correlation existed between human and space. Humanist ideal is declared in them. It was a declaration of human sovereignty to nature. But this declaration is caused to alienate human beings from space.