Rickles, Dean (2011) Time, Observables, and Structure. [Preprint]
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Abstract
In this chapter I consider what recent work on background independent physics can do for structuralism, and what structuralism can do for background independent physics. I focus on the problems of time and observables in gravitational physics. The ‘frozen’ character of the observables of general relativity is usually considered to constitute a serious problem for the theory. I argue that by invoking correlations between physical quantities we can provide a natural explanation of the appear- ance of time and change in timeless structures. I argue that this response can resolve a problem with Max Tegmark’s ‘extreme structuralist’ position. I then consider what bearing the mathematical representation used (namely Rovelli’s framework of ‘par- tial’ and ‘complete’ observables) has on the debate over the nature of structure in discussions of structural realism (i.e. the question of how structures are to be con- ceived). I argue that it has both the resources to ground the notion of structure in physics and to answer the ‘no relations without relata’ objection
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | To appear in E. Landry & D. Rickles (eds.) (forthcoming 2011), Structure, Objects, and Causality, Western Ontario Series in Philosophy of Science, Springer. | ||||||
| Keywords: | Structural realism, diffeomorphism symmetry, gauge invariance | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Depositing User: | Dr Dean Rickles | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 06 Jul 2011 12:02 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 06 Jul 2011 12:02 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 8707 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Date: | 2011 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8707 |
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