Norton, Joshua (2020) Loop quantum ontology: spacetime and spin-networks. [Preprint]
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Abstract
It is standardly claimed in loop quantum gravity (LQG) that spacetime both disappears, fundamentally, and emerges from spin-networks in the low energy regime. In this paper, I critically explore these claims and develop a variety of substantival and relational interpretations of LQG for which these claims are false. According to most of the interpretations I consider, including the “received interpretation", it is in fact false that spacetime emerges from spin-networks. In the process of supporting these claims, I also explain why spacetime is thought to be missing from the theory’s fundamental ontology and demonstrate how this conclusion depends on our interpretation of the theory. In fact, I will argue that for a variety of interpretations spacetime survives quantization just as the electromagnetic field survives quantization. The upshot of the following analysis is a much needed clarification of the ontology of LQG and how it relates, or fails to relate, to the spacetime of general relativity.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | This document was originally written as a portion of the dissertation of Joshua Norton from the University if Illinois at Chicago. | ||||||
| Keywords: | loop quantum gravity, spin-networks, emergence, general relativity, quantum gravity | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science Specific Sciences > Physics |
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| Depositing User: | Mr Joshua Norton | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 20 Apr 2020 22:10 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 20 Apr 2020 22:10 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 17095 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science Specific Sciences > Physics |
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| Date: | April 2020 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17095 |
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Loop quantum ontology:
spin-networks and spacetime. (deposited 03 Apr 2016 18:42)
- Loop quantum ontology: spacetime and spin-networks. (deposited 20 Apr 2020 22:10) [Currently Displayed]
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