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The Time in Thermal Time

Chua, Eugene Y. S. (2024) The Time in Thermal Time. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Preparing general relativity for quantization in the Hamiltonian approach leads to the `problem of time,' rendering the world fundamentally timeless. One proposed solution is the `thermal time hypothesis,' which defines time in terms of states representing systems in thermal equilibrium. On this view, time is supposed to emerge thermodynamically even in a fundamentally timeless context. Here, I develop the worry that the thermal time hypothesis requires dynamics -- and hence time -- to get off the ground, thereby running into worries of circularity.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Chua, Eugene Y. S.echua@caltech.edu0000-0002-3169-7563
Additional Information: Accepted for publication in the Journal for General Philosophy of Science, as part of the Special Issue: On Time in the Foundations of Physics (eds. Andrea Oldofredi & Cristian Lopez). Please cite final version when available.
Keywords: emergence of time, quantum gravity, spacetime, thermodynamics, thermal time hypothesis, algebraic quantum mechanics
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: Dr. Eugene Y. S. Chua
Date Deposited: 12 Jul 2024 04:10
Last Modified: 12 Jul 2024 04:10
Item ID: 23691
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: 11 July 2024
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23691

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