The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity

The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity PDF Author: Dean Rickles
Publisher: Clarendon Press
ISBN: 0191515027
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Get Book Here

Book Description
Quantum gravity is the name given to a theory that unites general relativity - Einstein's theory of gravitation and spacetime - with quantum field theory, our framework for describing non-gravitational forces. The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity brings together philosophers and physicists to discuss a range of conceptual issues that surface in the effort to unite these theories, focusing in particular on the ontological nature of the spacetime that results. Although there has been a great deal written about quantum gravity from the perspective of physicists and mathematicians, very little attention has been paid to the philosophical aspects. This volume closes that gap, with essays written by some of the leading researchers in the field. Individual papers defend or attack a structuralist perspective on the fundamental ontologies of our physical theories, which offers the possibility of shedding new light on a number of foundational problems. It is a book that will be of interest not only to physicists and philosophers of physics but to anyone concerned with foundational issues and curious to explore new directions in our understanding of spacetime and quantum physics.

The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity

The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity PDF Author: Dean Rickles
Publisher: Clarendon Press
ISBN: 0191515027
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Get Book Here

Book Description
Quantum gravity is the name given to a theory that unites general relativity - Einstein's theory of gravitation and spacetime - with quantum field theory, our framework for describing non-gravitational forces. The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity brings together philosophers and physicists to discuss a range of conceptual issues that surface in the effort to unite these theories, focusing in particular on the ontological nature of the spacetime that results. Although there has been a great deal written about quantum gravity from the perspective of physicists and mathematicians, very little attention has been paid to the philosophical aspects. This volume closes that gap, with essays written by some of the leading researchers in the field. Individual papers defend or attack a structuralist perspective on the fundamental ontologies of our physical theories, which offers the possibility of shedding new light on a number of foundational problems. It is a book that will be of interest not only to physicists and philosophers of physics but to anyone concerned with foundational issues and curious to explore new directions in our understanding of spacetime and quantum physics.

The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity

The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity PDF Author: Dean Rickles
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199269696
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 283

Get Book Here

Book Description
What is spacetime? General relativity and quantum field theory answer this question in different ways. This collection of essays looks at the problem of uniting these two fundamental theories of our world, focusing on the nature of space and time within this quantum framework.

Beyond Spacetime

Beyond Spacetime PDF Author: Nick Huggett
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110847702X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 371

Get Book Here

Book Description
A collection of essays discussing the philosophy and foundations of quantum gravity. Written by leading philosophers and physicists in the field, chapters cover the important conceptual questions in the search for a quantum theory of gravity, and the current state of understanding among philosophers and physicists.

Symmetry, Structure, and Spacetime

Symmetry, Structure, and Spacetime PDF Author: Dean Rickles
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0444531165
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 243

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this book Rickles considers several interpretative difficulties raised by gauge-type symmetries (those that correspond to no change in physical state). The ubiquity of such symmetries in modern physics renders them an urgent topic in philosophy of physics. Rickles focuses on spacetime physics, and in particular classical and quantum general relativity. Here the problems posed are at their most pathological, involving the apparent disappearance of spacetime! Rickles argues that both traditional ontological positions should be replaced by a structuralist account according to which relational structure is what the physics is about. · Unified treatment of gauge symmetries and their relationship to ontology in physics · Brings philosophy of space and time into step with developments in modern physics · Argues against the received view on the implications of symmetries in physics · Provides elementary treatments of technical issues · Illustrates a novel defense of structuralism

Quantum Gravity in 2+1 Dimensions

Quantum Gravity in 2+1 Dimensions PDF Author: Steven Carlip
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521545884
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 296

Get Book Here

Book Description
The first comprehensive survey of (2+1)-dimensional quantum gravity - for graduate students and researchers.

Modern Canonical Quantum General Relativity

Modern Canonical Quantum General Relativity PDF Author: Thomas Thiemann
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 113946759X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 739

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book provides a complete treatise of the canonical quantisation of general relativity and the loop quantum gravity theory. Mathematical concepts are provided, so it can be read by graduate students with a basic knowledge of quantum field theory or general relativity.

Lectures On Quantum Theory Mathematical And Structural Foundations

Lectures On Quantum Theory Mathematical And Structural Foundations PDF Author: Chris J. Isham
Publisher: Allied Publishers
ISBN: 9788177641905
Category : Mathematical physics
Languages : en
Pages : 278

Get Book Here

Book Description


Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

Foundations of Quantum Mechanics PDF Author: Travis Norsen
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319658670
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 316

Get Book Here

Book Description
Authored by an acclaimed teacher of quantum physics and philosophy, this textbook pays special attention to the aspects that many courses sweep under the carpet. Traditional courses in quantum mechanics teach students how to use the quantum formalism to make calculations. But even the best students - indeed, especially the best students - emerge rather confused about what, exactly, the theory says is going on, physically, in microscopic systems. This supplementary textbook is designed to help such students understand that they are not alone in their confusions (luminaries such as Albert Einstein, Erwin Schroedinger, and John Stewart Bell having shared them), to sharpen their understanding of the most important difficulties associated with interpreting quantum theory in a realistic manner, and to introduce them to the most promising attempts to formulate the theory in a way that is physically clear and coherent. The text is accessible to students with at least one semester of prior exposure to quantum (or "modern") physics and includes over a hundred engaging end-of-chapter "Projects" that make the book suitable for either a traditional classroom or for self-study.

Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale

Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale PDF Author: Craig Callender
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521664455
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 380

Get Book Here

Book Description
Was the first book to examine the exciting area of overlap between philosophy and quantum mechanics with chapters by leading experts from around the world.

Metaphysics in Contemporary Physics

Metaphysics in Contemporary Physics PDF Author: Tomasz Bigaj
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004310827
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 485

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book is a collection of essays whose topics center around relations between analytic metaphysics and modern physical theories. The contributions to the volume cover a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from metaphysical implications of selected physical theories (quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, general relativity, string theory etc.), to specific problems in scientifically-oriented analytic metaphysics, such as the problem of emergence and reduction, the part-whole relation, and the question of objecthood, properties and individuality on the fundamental level of reality. The authors of the contributions are philosophers of science, physicists and metaphysicians of international renown, and their work represents the cutting edge in modern metaphysics of physical sciences. Contributors are: Tomasz Bigaj, Jessica Bloom, Nazim Bouatta, Jeremy Butterfield, Adam Caulton, Dennis Dieks, Mauro Dorato, Michael Esfeld, Steven French, Andreas Hüttemann, Marek Kuś, Douglas Kutach, Vincent Lam, Olimpia Lombardi, Kerry McKenzie, Thomas Møller-Nielsen, Matteo Morganti, Ioan Muntean, Dean Rickles, Antonio Vassallo, Jessica Wilson, Christian Wüthrich