The (A)temporal Emergence of Spacetime (original) (raw)
Related papers
On the Emergence of Time in Quantum Gravity1
1999
We discuss from a philosophical perspective the way in which the normal concept of time might be said to 'emerge' in a quantum theory of gravity. After an introduction, we briefly discuss the notion of emergence, without regard to time (Section 2). We then introduce the search for a quantum theory of gravity (Section 3); and review some general interpretative issues about space, time and matter (Section 4). We then discuss the emergence of time in simple quantum geometrodynamics, and in the Euclidean approach (Section 5). Section 6 concludes.
Quantum gravity as an emergent phenomenon
2019
There ought to exist a reformulation of quantum theory which does not depend on classical time. To achieve such a reformulation, we introduce the concept of an atom of space-time-matter (STM). An STM atom is a classical non-commutative geometry, based on an asymmetric metric, and sourced by a closed string. Different such atoms interact via entanglement. The statistical thermodynamics of a large number of such atoms gives rise, at equilibrium, to a theory of quantum gravity. Far from equilibrium, where statistical fluctuations are large, the emergent theory reduces to classical general relativity. In this theory, classical black holes are far-from-equilibrium low entropy states, and their Hawking evaporation represents an attempt to return to the (maximum entropy) equilibrium quantum gravitational state.
2010
This short review is addressed to cosmologists. 1 General relativity predicts that space-time comes to an end and physics comes to a halt at the big-bang. Recent developments in loop quantum cosmology have shown that these predictions cannot be trusted. Quantum geometry effects can resolve singularities, thereby opening new vistas. Examples are: The big bang is replaced by a quantum bounce; the 'horizon problem' disappears; immediately after the big bounce, there is a super-inflationary phase with its own phenomenological ramifications; and, in presence of a standard inflaton potential, initial conditions are naturally set for a long, slow roll inflation independently of what happens in the pre-big bang branch.
Out of Nowhere: Introduction: The emergence of spacetime
2021
Quantum gravity and philosophy 2 2 Worlds without spacetime? 4 3 Challenges to spacetime emergence 7 4 Physical salience 9 * This is a chapter of the planned monograph Out of Nowhere: The Emergence of Spacetime in Quantum Theories of Gravity, co-authored by Nick Huggett and Christian Wüthrich and under contract with Oxford University Press. More information at www.beyondspacetime.net. This work was supported financially by the ACLS and the John Templeton Foundation (the views expressed are those of the authors not necessarily those of the sponsors.
Quantum Cosmology in the Unified Field
Quantum Cosmology in the Unified Field, 2023
Quantum Cosmology describes the nature of the universe from a perspective of an unobserved and largely unseen microcosm forming the basis for an experienced and observed macrocosm. It so presents a cosmogenesis, a description of the origins as an ontology for cosmological models. The building blocks of an experienced physical reality in atomic, molecular and subatomic constituents then emerge in models and paradigms of science from an observed and measured wave-particle duality which couples the microcosm of the quantum realm to its macrocosmic cooperator within a collectivized physical reality. Quantum Cosmology proposes the emergence of the quantum world manifesting in an experienced spacetime of energy interactions for a thermodynamically expanding universe to derive from a preexisting timespace forming the reason and purpose for the existence of a physical reality experienced in the world of the macrocosm. The relevant physics for the kaleidoscope and interplay of energy describing the universe modelled in the physics of a Planck-Einstein black body radiator then utilizes the emitted electromagnetic radiation spectrum to derive and apply the initial and boundary conditions for the cosmology manifesting in the experienced spacetime. Quantum Cosmology expands on the premises of Special and General Relativity for a description of spacetime in introducing the concept of Quantum Relativity (QR), emerging from the timespace to become the cornerstone for a Unified Field of Quantum Relativity (UFoQR). The Unified Field defines the parameters for the microcosmic reality experienced and observed in spacetime from the platform of the timespace in the emergence of space and time from an algorithmically defined energy matrix described in a multidimensional setting of mathematical logistical statements and principles. The birth of space in the formulation of an inflaton and the birth of time in the form of an instanton follow the self-generation of dimensions from a prior abstractly defined existence in timespace to become a multidimensional physicalized reality in the spacetime. The abstract nature of the timespace as originator for the spacetime is defined as a form of universalized consciousness and as a concept of being 'self-aware' of occupying the spacetime from a prior state of being unaware in the spacelessness and timelessness of the timespace. In particular the occupancy of spacetime volumars as the basis universalized consciousness is defined in Quantum Relativity as a spacial awareness in the form of a radius independent form of quantum spin-acceleration as the frequency over time differential df/dt defining an initializing maximized frequency permutation count. The square of frequency then forms a basis to couple maximized and minimized energy states, modelled on a multidimensional 12-dimensional cosmology described as a T-duality modular mirror duality. The nature of quantum gravitation, for example, then is described in gravitational waves using the squared frequency state (as G times density) to couple to the universalized consciousness quantization in the form of the gravitational parameter GM with mensuration units identical to the universal consciousness quantum as the magnetic charge of a Dirac monopole and as evidenced in the charge formulation of Newman-Kerr black hole s(r)ingularities (manifold singularity without thickness). The spacetime realism intersecting the timespace abstraction then becomes the multidimensional energy continuum for the wave-particle duality enabling the microcosm to self-replicate in holographic fractalization to evolve into an observable and measurable macrocosmic physical reality. This book is presented for the scientifically literate reader and researcher and can be said to follow a Newtonian tradition and to be inclusive of an holistic metaphysically overviewing cosmology.
Against the disappearance of spacetime in quantum gravity
Synthese, 2019
This paper argues against the proposal to draw from current research into a physical theory of quantum gravity the ontological conclusion that spacetime or spatiotemporal relations are not fundamental. As things stand, the status of this proposal is like the one of all the other claims about radical changes in ontology that were made during the development of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. However, none of these claims held up to scrutiny as a consequence of the physics once the theory was established and a serious discussion about its ontology had begun. Furthermore, the paper argues that if spacetime is to be recovered through a functionalist procedure in a theory that admits no fundamental spacetime, standard functionalism cannot serve as a model: all the known functional definitions are definitions in terms of a causal role for the motion of physical objects and hence presuppose spatiotemporal relations.