Struyve, Ward (2020) Time-reversal invariance and ontology. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Albert and Callender have challenged the received view that theories like classical electrodynamics and non-relativistic quantum mechanics are time-reversal invariant. According to their view of time-reversal invariance, these theories are not time-reversal invariant. If so, then the important metaphysical implication is that space-time must have a temporal orientation. There is a large debate on what is the best way of viewing time-reversal invariance, with many philosophers defending the standard notion contra Albert and Callender. In this paper, we will not be concerned so much with that aspect of the debate, but rather focus our attention on an aspect of the Albert and Callender view that has received little attention, namely the role of ontology. In the type of theories that are considered the ontology is actually underdetermined. We will argue that with a suitable choice of ontology, these theories are in fact time-reversal invariant according their view.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Struyve, Ward ward.struyve@gmail.com 0000-0002-3633-6353
Keywords:	time-reversal invariance, ontology, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User:	dr ward struyve
Date Deposited:	30 Jul 2020 13:21
Last Modified:	30 Jul 2020 13:21
Item ID:	17682
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date:	29 July 2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17682

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