General relativity and the epistemology of space and time: a relational approach (original) (raw)
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2016
This paper is a brief (and hopelessly incomplete) non-standard introduction to the philosophy of space and time. It is an introduction because I plan to give an overview of what I consider some of the main questions about space and time: Is space a substance over and above matter? How many dimensions does it have? Is space-time fundamental or emergent? Does time have a direction? Does time even exist? Nonetheless, this introduction is not standard because I conclude the discussion by presenting the material with an original spin, guided by a particular understanding of fundamental physical theories, the so-called primitive ontology approach.
Space and Time, 2013
In the paper the Space – Time problem is considered as it is seen in the informational conception (“the Information as Absolute conception”) comparing with a number of existent physical and philosophical approaches. Since the conception is rigorously grounded (for the conception the existence, the truth, the self-consistence and the completeness of are proven), the notions “Space” and “Time” – which cannot be deduced from physics itself since are Meta-physical notions – obtain reasonable elucidation that is presented in the paper. Key words: space, time, Matter, special relativity, informational model, arrow of time, time flow PACC: 0330, 0455, 0170 PACS : 01.70.+w, 03.30.+p, 04.80.Cc
After a Century of Revolution in the Status of Space and Time
Written from a very untutored and limited viewpoint in terms of physics and mathematics, this essay ventures some thoughts that should therefore be regarded as only very tentative. Especially as they address a long established idea that sits right at the heart of the scientific discipline of physics. This is the idea of naturally moving reference systems, a notion closely linked to the classical principles of both inertia and relativity. Such inertial reference systems played a key role in some thought experiments published over a century ago, by Albert Einstein. It is a critical
What are space and time? Do they exist absolutely, or only relative to matter? Do they constitute the fixed background or stage upon which the drama of life is played out -or do they themselves also take part in the action? Such questions are as old as philosophy itself.
Space, time, and irreversibility: The philosophical problems of contemporary
Mètode Revista de difusió de la investigació, 2016
Scientific philosophy is that which is informed by science. It uses exact tools such as logic and mathematics and provides a framework for scientific activity to solve more general questions about nature, the language we use to describe it, and the knowledge we obtain thanks to it. Many of the scientific philosophy theories can be proven and evaluated using scientific evidence. In this paper, I focus on showing how several classical philosophy topics, such as the nature of space and time or the dimensionality of the future, can be addressed philosophically using the tools from current astrophysics research and, in particular, from the study of black holes and gravitational waves.
A Discussion Related To The Existence of The Entities of Space and Time
SSRN Electronic Journal
Humans need the entity of Space to perceive relative positions between objects. Humans also need the entities of Space and Time to calculate values that Humans attribute to Motions, such as Velocity or Acceleration. The entities of Space and Time are also the entities that compose the four-dimensional Interwoven Space/Time entity, introduced by Einstein’s General Relativity theory, which provided an explanation of the origin of the attraction between Mass bodies. However, although the notions of Space and Time, as Humans perceive these notions, do provide the significant explanation of the origin of the attraction between Mass bodies, via Einstein’s General Relativity theory, the notions of Space and Time, as Humans perceive these notions, are not sufficient for providing explanations to additional similar unanswered questions, such as : what is the origin of the attraction or the repulsion between Electrically Charged bodies? Or, why the velocity of Light, measured by Humans, always results in a constant value and the maximum velocity that Humans can measure? This paper presents the following prediction: Electric (or Magnetic) Fields are forms of Accelerations, like the Gravitational Field, which is already recognized as a form of Acceleration. This prediction also leads to the following thesis: Changes and Movements are the result of Interactions between Energies, and the entities of Space and Time are not entities that exist. The entities of Space and Time are notions (or entities), invented by Humans, because Humans need such notions to perceive Changes and Motions. For some Interactions between Energies, which result in Changes or Motions, Humans can attribute, to these Interactions, attributes of Space and Time, which will assist in providing explanations to why these Changes or Motions are the result of these Energies Interactions. However, this paper predicts, that different sets of Interactions between Energies, should be assigned separate and independent attributes of Space and Time, different and independent from the Space and the Time attributes, assigned to other sets of Interactions between Energies, to provide an explanation for the origin of motions which are yet unexplained, such as: what is the origin of the attraction or the repulsion between Electrically Charged bodies? 2 Because different and independent Space and Time attributes should be assigned to different sets of Interactions between Energies, then, Space and Time, as Humans perceive these notions, cannot exist, because the above implies, that there should be multiple, independent notions of Space, and multiple, independent notions of Time, and not just one universal Space entity, and just one universal Time entity, as Humans perceive the Space and the Time entities. By abandoning the conclusion that the entities of Space and Time exist, and by concluding that Changes and Motions are only the results of Interactions between Energies, the origin of attraction or repulsion between Electrically Charged bodies can be explained, in addition to the explanation, already provided by Einstein’s General Relativity theory, relating to the origin of the attraction between Mass bodies. Also, by abandoning the conclusion that the entities of Space and Time exist, and by concluding that Changes and Motions are only the results of Interactions between Energies, a possible partial, tentative explanation might be also provided to the question: why the velocity of Light, measured by Humans, always results in a constant value and the maximum velocity that Humans can measure? The prediction that the entities of Space and Time do not really exist sounds as an extraordinary, unbelievable, and out of line statement, at first. This is because, as presented above, the notions of Space and Time are crucial notions, which Humans need them, to perceive, understand and calculate Motions and Changes. However, this paper also proposes a relatively simple experiment, which if implemented, and its results will be successful, as this paper predicts, this will either validate or disprove, what is presented in this paper.