Maresca, Enrico (2025) Processes and Continuity: A Look from Quantum Gravity. [Preprint]
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Abstract
Process jargon is widespread in the physical sciences. Beginning with the work of Wesley Salmon, several accounts in philosophy of science have attempted to provide a definition of "process" compatible with scientists' understanding of causation and explanation. The proposed characterisation links processes to the properties of the spacetime they inhabit as regards continuity and genuine causality. Recent developments in theories of quantum gravity challenge the validity of process ontologies at the fundamental scale. In particular, this paper examines how arguments based on minimal length in the literature question the traditional definition of process. Process realism does not favour the processualist against these arguments. I conclude that certain theories of quantum gravity prevent a processual representation of the intended phenomena at the fundamental scale because they predict a violation of either the spatiotemporal specification or the causality conditions. In the end, the processualist faces a dilemma: either weaken the accepted definition of process without falling into substance ontologies, or hope that problematic theories of quantum gravity will be disconfirmed.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Keywords: | Process, Continuity, Quantum Gravity, Quantum Spacetime | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity |
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| Depositing User: | Mr Enrico Maresca | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 23 Jul 2025 16:58 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 23 Jul 2025 16:58 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 26001 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity |
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| Date: | 2025 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/26001 |
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