Swanson, Noel (2020) Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time? [Preprint]

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Abstract

The thermal time hypothesis (TTH) is a proposed solution to the problem of time: a coarse-grained state determines a thermal dynamics according to which it is in equilibrium, and this defines the flow of time in generally covariant quantum theories. This paper raises a series of objections to the TTH as developed by Connes and Rovelli (1994). Two technical challenges concern the relationship between thermal time and proper time and the possibility of implementing the TTH in classical theories. Three conceptual problems concern the flow of time in non-equilibrium states and the extent to which the TTH is background-independent and gauge-invariant.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Swanson, Noel nswanson@udel.edu 0000-0002-5950-3863
Additional Information:	Final version of paper forthcoming in Philosophy of Science. Changes from version 2: simplified technical discussion, responded to referee comments, expanded philosophical arguments in section 5.
Keywords:	Problem of Time, Thermal Time Hypothesis, Quantum Gravity, General Relativity, Quantum Field Theory
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User:	Noel Swanson
Date Deposited:	07 May 2020 19:54
Last Modified:	07 May 2020 19:54
Item ID:	17152
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date:	March 2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17152

Available Versions of this Item

• Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time? (deposited 02 Oct 2018 13:43)
  • Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time? (deposited 21 Feb 2019 14:26)
    • Can Quantum Thermodynamics Save Time? (deposited 07 May 2020 19:54) [Currently Displayed]

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