Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale
Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale
The greatest challenge in fundamental physics is how quantum mechanics and general relativity can be reconciled in a theory of 'quantum gravity'. The project suggests a profound revision of our notions of space, time and matter, and so has become a key topic of debate and collaboration between physicists and philosophers. This volume collects classic and original contributions from leading experts in both fields for a provocative discussion of all the issues. This volume contains accessible introductions to the main and less well known approaches to quantum gravity. It includes exciting topics such as the fate of spacetime in various theories, the so-called 'problem of time' in canonical quantum gravity, black hole thermodynamics, and the relationship between the interpretation of quantum theory and quantum gravity. This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the profound implications of trying to marry the two most important theories in physics.
- Was the first book on the exciting new area of overlap between philosophy and quantum gravity, and set to become the standard reference in the field
- Contains chapters by the most eminent authorities in the field, including Witten, Penrose, Isham, Earman, Butterfield, Goldstein, and Unruh
- Clearly lays out the philosophical dimensions of cutting-edge physics
Reviews & endorsements
'… a formidable survey of current research and future possibilities in theories of convergence of particle physics and gravity theory … recommended to ambitious undergraduate philosophy and physics students as well as graduate students …'. P. D. Skiff, Choice
'… there is no better resource available to philosophers interested in quantum gravity than Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale … This volume is mandatory reading for anyone interested in how quantum theory and gravity collide.' Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Product details
No date availableAdobe eBook Reader
9780511033827
0 pages
0kg
20 b/w illus. 2 tables
Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Introduction Craig Callendar and Nick Huggett
- Part I. Theories of Quantum Gravity and their Philosophical Dimensions:
- 2. Spacetime and the philosophical challenge of quantum gravity Jeremy Butterfield and Christopher Isham
- 3. Naive quantum gravity Steven Weinstein
- 4. Quantum spacetime: what do we know? Carlo Rovelli
- Part II. Strings:
- 5. Reflections on the fate of spacetime Edward Witten
- 6. A philosopher looks at string theory Robert Weingard
- 7. Black holes, dumb holes, and entropy William G. Unruh
- Part III. Topological Quantum Field Theory:
- 8. Higher-dimensional algebra and Planck scale physics John C. Baez
- Part IV. Quantum Gravity and the Interpretation of General Relativity:
- 9. On general covariance and best matching Julian B. Barbour
- 10. Pre-Socratic quantum gravity Gordon Belot and John Earman
- 11. The origin of the spacetime metric: Bell's 'Lorentzian Pedagogy' and its significance in general relativity Harvey R. Brown and Oliver Pooley
- Part IV. Quantum Gravity and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics:
- 12. Quantum spacetime without observers: ontological clarity and the conceptual foundations of quantum gravity Sheldon Goldstein and Stefan Teufel
- 13. On gravity's role in quantum state reduction Roger Penrose
- 14. Why the quantum must yield to gravity Joy Christian.
