Distance

Across philosophical traditions, the notion of distance is explored through a variety of terms and concepts that extend beyond mere physical measurement, encompassing metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical dimensions. [1, 2]
Western Philosophy Western traditions often use a mix of technical and metaphorical terms to discuss distance:

Spatium or Extensio: In the philosophy of space and time, thinkers like Descartes used extensio (extension) to define the very nature of physical reality, implying a measurable separation between objects. The concept of spatium (space) itself represents the abstract area in which objects exist and have distance from one another.
Topos: Aristotle’s term for “place” (as opposed to abstract space) focuses on the where of a thing, inherently dealing with its proximity or separation from other things within a defined limit.
Ontological Difference: In Martin Heidegger’s philosophy, Differenz (difference) is a central concept concerning the distinction between Being (Sein) and an entity (Seiendes). This is a profound, non-spatial “distance” in the structure of existence itself, distinct from mere quantitative or qualitative difference.
Action at a Distance: A concept in the philosophy of physics used to describe a cause producing a spatially separated effect without any intervening medium, a term that highlights the philosophical problem of spatial separation in causal interaction.
Relativism of Distance: Proposed by Bernard Williams, this ethical term describes how certain moral or cultural concepts are only available or relevant to people within a specific “form of life” or culture, implying a significant conceptual or cultural “distance” from others.
Metaphorical Distance: The use of distance as a metaphor for a measurement of the amount of difference, distinctness, or separation between two concepts, ideas, or individuals (e.g., historical distance, cultural distance, emotional distance). [1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]

Eastern Philosophy Eastern philosophical traditions tend to focus more on interconnectedness and the transcendence of apparent separation:

Māyā (Sanskrit for “illusion” or “appearance”): In Advaita Vedanta and other Indic traditions, the perceived “distance” or separation between the individual self (Ātman) and ultimate reality (Brahman) is considered an illusion. The feeling of being a separate entity from the world is a result of māyā.
Advaita (Sanskrit for “non-duality”): This term directly addresses the lack of fundamental distance or duality between the individual soul and the universal whole. The goal of self-realization is to recognize this inherent oneness.
Cyclicality and Interconnectedness: Rather than focusing on linear space or distance, many Eastern philosophies, such as aspects of Buddhism and Hinduism, emphasize the cyclical nature of existence and the deep interconnectedness of all things, where true “distance” in a linear, progress-oriented sense may be seen as less significant than the relational web of existence. [15, 16, 17, 18, 19]

In essence, while Western thought has developed precise terminology for both physical and abstract notions of distance and difference, Eastern traditions often use concepts that aim to dissolve or reframe the very idea of ultimate separation, highlighting unity and relationality. [15, 16]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230532909_Introduction_The_metaphor_of_historical_distance

[2] wikipedia/en/Distance