Foundations of Physics (1):1-18 (2013)
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Abstract |
The paper shows how the Bohmian approach to quantum physics can be applied to develop a clear and coherent ontology of non-perturbative quantum gravity. We suggest retaining discrete objects as the primitive ontology also when it comes to a quantum theory of space-time and therefore focus on loop quantum gravity. We conceive atoms of space, represented in terms of nodes linked by edges in a graph, as the primitive ontology of the theory and show how a non-local law in which a universal and stationary wave-function figures can provide an order of configurations of such atoms of space such that the classical space-time of general relativity is approximated. Although there is as yet no fully worked out physical theory of quantum gravity, we regard the Bohmian approach as setting up a standard that proposals for a serious ontology in this field should meet and as opening up a route for fruitful physical and mathematical investigations
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Keywords | Bohmian mechanics Loop quantum gravity Emergence of space-time Non-local law Primitive ontology Wheeler-DeWitt equation |
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Reprint years | 2014 |
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DOI | 10.1007/s10701-013-9745-1 |
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References found in this work BETA
Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics: Collected Papers on Quantum Philosophy.John Stewart Bell - 2004 - Cambridge University Press.
Review of *The Metaphysics Within Physics* by Tim Maudlin. [REVIEW]Chris Daly - 2009 - Analysis 69 (2):374-375.
Quantum Entanglement, Bohmian Mechanics, and Humean Supervenience.Elizabeth Miller - 2014 - Australasian Journal of Philosophy 92 (3):567-583.
View all 25 references / Add more references
Citations of this work BETA
Against the disappearance of spacetime in quantum gravity.Michael Esfeld - 2021 - Synthese 199 (2):355-369.
The Primitive Ontology of Quantum Physics: Guidelines for an Assessment of the Proposals.Michael Esfeld - 2014 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 47:99-106.
Loop Quantum Gravity: A New Threat to Humeanism? Part I: The Problem of Spacetime.Vera Matarese - 2019 - Foundations of Physics 49 (3):232-259.
What is Matter? The Fundamental Ontology of Atomism and Structural Realism.Michael Esfeld, Dirk-André Deckert & Andrea Oldofredi - forthcoming - In B. Lower and A. Ijjas (ed.), A guide to the philosophy of Cosmology. Oxford University Press.
Cosmic Hylomorphism: A Powerist Ontology of Quantum Mechanics.William M. R. Simpson - 2021 - European Journal for Philosophy of Science 11 (1):1-25.
View all 8 citations / Add more citations
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