March, Eleanor (2024) Are Maxwell gravitation and Newton-Cartan theory theoretically equivalent? [Preprint]

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Abstract

A recent flurry of work has addressed the question whether Maxwell gravitation and Newton-Cartan theory are theoretically equivalent. This paper defends the view that there are plausible interpretations of Newton-Cartan theory on which the answer to the above question is 'yes'. Along the way, I seek to clarify what is at issue in this debate. In particular, I argue that whether Maxwell gravitation and Newton-Cartan theory are equivalent has nothing to do with counterfactuals about unactualised matter, contra the appearance of previous discussions in the literature. Nor does it have anything to do with spacetime and dynamical symmetries, contra recent claims by Jacobs (2023). Instead, it depends on some rather subtle questions concerning how facts about the geodesics of a connection acquire physical significance, and the distinction between dynamical and kinematic possibility.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID March, Eleanor eleanor.march@balliol.ox.ac.uk
Keywords:	Maxwell gravitation, Maxwellian spacetime, Newton-Cartan theory, theoretical equivalence, Newtonian gravitation
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
Depositing User:	Eleanor March
Date Deposited:	27 Mar 2024 11:28
Last Modified:	27 Mar 2024 11:28
Item ID:	23223
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
Date:	22 March 2024
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23223

Available Versions of this Item

• Are Maxwell gravitation and Newton-Cartan theory theoretically equivalent? (deposited 17 Aug 2023 13:19)
  • Are Maxwell gravitation and Newton-Cartan theory theoretically equivalent? (deposited 27 Aug 2023 16:26)
    • Are Maxwell gravitation and Newton-Cartan theory theoretically equivalent? (deposited 06 Jan 2024 05:14)
      • Are Maxwell gravitation and Newton-Cartan theory theoretically equivalent? (deposited 27 Mar 2024 11:28) [Currently Displayed]

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