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A proposal for a Bohmian ontology of quantum gravity

Vassallo, Antonio and Esfeld, Michael (2013) A proposal for a Bohmian ontology of quantum gravity. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The paper shows how the Bohmian approach to quantum physics can be applied to develop a clear and coherent ontology of non-perturbative quantum gravity. We suggest retaining discrete objects as the primitive ontology also when it comes to a quantum theory of space-time and therefore focus on loop quantum gravity. We conceive atoms of space, represented in terms of nodes linked by edges in a graph, as the primitive ontology of the theory and show how a non-local law in which a universal and stationary wave-function figures can provide an order of configurations of such atoms of space such that the classical space-time of general relativity is approximated. Although there is as yet no fully worked out physical theory of quantum gravity, we regard the Bohmian approach as setting up a standard that proposals for a serious ontology in this field should meet and as opening up a route for fruitful physical and mathematical investigations.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Vassallo, Antonioantonio.vassallo@unil.ch
Esfeld, MichaelMichael-Andreas.Esfeld@unil.ch
Additional Information: Accepted for publication in Foundations of Physics
Keywords: Bohmian mechanics, loop quantum gravity, emergence of space-time, non-local law, primitive ontology, Wheeler-DeWitt equation
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User: Antonio Vassallo
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2013 13:36
Last Modified: 29 Aug 2013 13:36
Item ID: 9958
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date: 28 August 2013
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9958

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