Article ID: CBB643976714

The Metaphysical Challenge of Loop Quantum Gravity (2021)

unapi

Many consider the apparent disappearance of time and change in quantum gravity the main metaphysical challenge since it seems to lead to a form of Parmenidean view according to which the physical world simply is, nothing changes, moves, becomes, happens. In this paper, I argue that the main metaphysical challenge of Rovelli’s philosophical view of loop quantum gravity is to lead exactly to the opposite view, namely, a form of Heraclitean view, or rather, of radical process metaphysics according to which there is becoming (process, change, event) but not being (substance, stasis, thing). However, this does not entail that time is real. Fundamentally, time does not exist. I show how Rovelli’s understanding of loop quantum gravity supports the view that there is change without time, so that the physical world can be timeless yet ever-changing. I conclude by arguing that it is such a process-oriented conception that constitutes the revolutionary metaphysical challenge and philosophical significance of loop quantum gravity, while the alleged Parmenidean view turns out to be nothing but the endpoint of a long-standing metaphysical orthodoxy.

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Authors & Contributors
Kochiras, Hylarie
Dolev, Yuval
Massimiliano Sassoli de Bianchi
Ricardo Batista dos Santos
Barra, Eduardo Salles de Oliveira
Veloz, Tomas
Concepts
Physics
Metaphysics
Gravitation
Philosophy of science
Time
Space
Time Periods
17th century
20th century
18th century
Early modern
Enlightenment
21st century
Places
France
Great Britain
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