Earman, John and Smeenk, Christopher and Wuthrich, Christian (2006) Do the Laws of Physics Forbid the Operation of Time Machines? [Preprint]

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Abstract

We address the question of whether it is possible to operate a time machine by manipulating matter and energy so as to manufacture closed timelike curves. This question has received a great deal of attention in the physics literature, with attempts to prove no-go theorems based on classical general relativity and various hybrid theories serving as steps along the way towards quantum gravity. Despite the effort put into these no-go theorems, there is no widely accepted definition of a time machine. We explain the conundrum that must be faced in providing a satisfactory definition and propose a resolution. Roughly, we require that all extensions of the time machine region contain closed timelike curves; the actions of the time machine operator are then sufficiently “potent” to guarantee that closed timelike curves appear. We then review no-go theorems based on classical general relativity, semiclassical quantum gravity, quantum field theory on curved spacetime, and Euclidean quantum gravity. Our verdict on the question of our title is that no result of sufficient generality to underwrite a confident “yes” has been proven. Our review of the no-go results does, however, highlight several foundational problems at the intersection of general relativity and quantum physics that lend substance to the search for an answer.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Earman, John Smeenk, Christopher Wuthrich, Christian
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Synthese.
Keywords:	Time machines, time travel, causality, closed timelike curves, potency condition, classical general relativity, semi-classical quantum gravity, quantum field theory on curved spacetime, Euclidean quantum gravity
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Depositing User:	Christian Wuthrich
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2008
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:17
Item ID:	4240
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Date:	July 2006
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4240

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