Salimkhani, Kian and Voggenauer, Martin (2026) On Solving the Problem of the Direction of Time. Inductive Metaphysics: Insights, Challenges, and Prospects. pp. 273-292.
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Abstract
There is an apparent contradiction between the time-reversal invariant fundamental laws and our experience of temporal asymmetries. Call this the problem of the direction of time. While the standard approaches attempt to solve this problem reductively, Maudlin argues that a fundamental direction of time is indispensable. This chapter explores the question of when positing such fundamentals is justified and when one should look for reductive explanations. In particular, it examines whether assuming a fundamental direction of time or providing a reductive explanation is better. Moreover, it shows how the problem of the direction of time can serve as a case study to address general issues in inductive metaphysics. Specifically, it raises the questions of how to bridge the gap between our manifest and our scientific image of the world and how to weigh up different explanatory strategies against each other.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | |||||||||
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| Keywords: | Arrow of Time; Reductive Explanations; Primitive Explanations; Fundamentality | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Kian Salimkhani | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 01 May 2026 12:33 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 01 May 2026 12:33 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 29424 | |||||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Inductive Metaphysics: Insights, Challenges, and Prospects | |||||||||
| Publisher: | Routledge | |||||||||
| Official URL: | https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.... | |||||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.4324/9781003514404-19 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics |
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| Date: | 2026 | |||||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 273-292 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/29424 |
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