Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale: Contemporary Theories in Quantum Gravity

by Edited by Craig Callender , Nick Huggett

• ISBN13: 9780521662802
• ISBN10: 052166280X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-01-29
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The greatest challenge in fundamental physics is how quantum mechanics and general relativity can be reconciled in a theory of 'quantum gravity'. The project suggests a profound revision of our notions of space, time and matter, and so has become a key topic of debate and collaboration between physicists and philosophers. This timely volume collects classic and original contributions from leading experts in both fields for a provocative discussion of all the issues. This volume contains accessible introductions to the main and less well known approaches to quantum gravity. It includes exciting topics such as the fate of spacetime in various theories, the so-called 'problem of time' in canonical quantum gravity, black hole thermodynamics, and the relationship between the interpretation of quantum theory and quantum gravity. This book will be essential reading for anyone interested in the profound implications of trying to marry the two most important theories in physics.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Introduction	1	(32)
Craig Callender
Nick Huggett
Part I Theories of Quantum Gravity and their Philosophical Dimensions
Spacetime and the philosophical challenge of quantum gravity	33	(57)
Jeremy Butterfield
Christopher Isham
Naive quantum gravity	90	(11)
Steven Weinstein
Quantum spacetime: What do we know?	101	(24)
Carlo Rovelli
Part II Strings
Reflections on the fate of spacetime	125	(13)
Edward Witten
A philosopher looks at string theory	138	(14)
Robert Weingard
Black holes, dumb holes, and entropy	152	(25)
William G. Unruh
Part III Topological Quantum Field Theory
Higher-dimensional algebra and Planck scale physics	177	(22)
John C. Baez
Part IV Quantum Gravity and the Interpretation of General Relativity
On general covariance and best matching	199	(14)
Julian B. Barbour
Pre-Socratic quantum gravity	213	(43)
Gordon Belot
John Earman
The Origin of the spacetime metric: Bell's `Lorentzian pedagogy' and its significance in general relativity	256	(19)
Harvey R. Brown
Oliver Pooley
Part V Quantum Gravity and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
Quantum spacetime without observers: Ontological clarity and the conceptual foundations of quantum gravity	275	(15)
Sheldon Goldstein
Stefan Teufel
On gravity's role in quantum state reduction	290	(15)
Roger Penrose
Why the quantum must yield to gravity	305	(34)
Joy Christian
References	339	(18)
Notes on contributors	357	(4)
Index	361