Thebault, Karim P Y and Gryb, Sean (2015) Regarding the `Hole Argument' and the `Problem of Time'. [Preprint]
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Abstract
The canonical formalism of general relativity affords a particularly interesting characterisation of the infamous hole argument. It also provides a natural formalism in which to relate the hole argument to the problem of time in classical and quantum gravity. In this paper we examine the connection between these two much discussed problems in the foundations of spacetime theory along two interrelated lines. First, from a formal perspective, we consider the extent to which the two problems can and cannot be precisely and distinctly characterised. Second, from a philosophical perspective, we consider the implications of various responses to the problems, with a particular focus upon the viability of a `deflationary' attitude to the relationalist/substantivalist debate regarding the ontology of spacetime. Conceptual and formal inadequacies within the representative language of canonical gravity will be shown to be at the heart of both the canonical hole argument and the problem of time. Interesting and fruitful work at the interface of physics and philosophy relates to the challenge of resolving such inadequacies.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | |||||||||
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| Keywords: | Hole Argument, Problem of Time, Representation, Symmetry, Diffeomorphism | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
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| Depositing User: | Dr Karim Thebault | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 06 Dec 2015 12:55 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 06 Dec 2015 12:55 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 11795 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory |
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| Date: | 5 December 2015 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11795 |
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