en
Scientific article
Open access
English

Have we lost spacetime on the way? Narrowing the gap between general relativity and quantum gravity

Publication date2019
Abstract

Important features of space and time are taken to be missing in quantum gravity, allegedly requiring an explanation of the emergence of spacetime from non-spatio-temporal theories. In this paper, we argue that the explanatory gap between general relativity and non-spatio-temporal quantum gravity theories might significantly be reduced with two moves. First, we point out that spacetime is already partially missing in the context of general relativity when understood from a dynamical perspective. Second, we argue that most approaches to quantum gravity already start with an in-built distinction between structures to which the asymmetry between space and time can be traced back.

Keywords
  • Spacetime
  • Emergence
  • General relativity
  • Metaphysics
  • Quantum gravity
  • String theory
  • Loop quantum gravity
  • Causal set theory
  • Ontology
  • Dynamical approach
Citation (ISO format)
LE BIHAN, Baptiste, LINNEMANN, Niels Siegbert. Have we lost spacetime on the way? Narrowing the gap between general relativity and quantum gravity. In: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science. B, Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 2019, vol. 65, p. 112–121. doi: 10.1016/j.shpsb.2018.10.010
Main files (1)
Article (Accepted version)
accessLevelPublic
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal1355-2198
397views
366downloads

Technical informations

Creation03/12/2019 12:17:00 PM
First validation03/12/2019 12:17:00 PM
Update time03/15/2023 3:51:01 PM
Status update03/15/2023 3:51:00 PM
Last indexation01/17/2024 5:05:42 AM
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack