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Space can be understood in a number of ways. In its simplest form, space can be viewed merely as 'the container within which things happen.' This is an absolute conception of space based on an idea of space as natural. However, space can also be mentally constructed through cognitive process; for example, we all have 'mental maps' of where we live, focusing on the important roads, buildings and open spaces.

In the above sentence, it states that space can be viewed in two different ways, the first being just 'the container', and the second 'mental space'.

I can easily see what 'mental spaces' are. But how is 'the container' different from 'mentally constructed space'?

Isn't 'the container' constructed 'mentally' as well? Is it a 'material space'? I doubt it.

Could you give an example of what could be 'the container within which things happen'?

Thank you so much.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

shcho23Could you give an example of what could be 'the container within which things happen'?

The ultimate container is the universe, of course.

But I'm surprised that the author did not explain such things in greater detail. Does the article go on to explain more? It seems to me that it should.

shcho23Isn't 'the container' constructed 'mentally' as well?

In the sense that everything we conceive of at all has to involve the mind, I think we'd have to answer yes. But that's probably not what the author meant. After all, he's/she's drawing a distinction of some kind here.

shcho23Is it a 'material space'?

I think so. The space through which we move every day. I suppose you could say that container-space is real space and mental-space is imagined space. Nothing later in the article tells you more?

CJ

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