Is there an alternative to the Block universe view?
| Abstract | This paper pursues two aims. First, to show that the block universe view, regarding the universe as a timelessly existing four-dimensional world, is the only one that is consistent with special relativity. Second, to argue that special relativity alone can resolve the debate on whether the world is three-dimensional or four-dimensional. The argument advanced in the paper is that if the world were three-dimensional the kinematic consequences of special relativity and more importantly the experiments confirming them would be impossible. | |||||||||
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Similar books and articlesBradley Monton (2003). Presentists Can Believe in Closed Timelike Curves. Analysis 63 (3):199–202.
D. Dieks (1988). Special Relativity and the Flow of Time. Philosophy of Science 55 (3):456-460.
Nicholas Maxwell (1988). Are Probabilism and Special Relativity Compatible? Philosophy of Science 55 (4):640-645.
Stefan Bauberger (2005). The Physics of Time: Block Universe or Flow of Time? Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia 61 (1):61 - 72.
Nicholas Maxwell (2006). Special Relativity, Time, Probabilism, and Ultimate Reality. In D. Dieks (ed.), The Ontology of Spacetime. Elsevier, B. V.
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