Time in the Physical Picture of the World

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 128-132
Author(s):  
Andrey Yu. Sevalnikov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Time Structure ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Principle Of Superposition ◽  
Subjective Character ◽  
Space Time Structure ◽  
Modern Physics

The article is devoted to the problem of time in modern science, where in recent years there have been major changes related to the latest discoveries in the field of the foundations of quantum theory. The author refers to works of K.-F. von Weizsacker (which works are not well-known in Russian-speaking field). Weizsacker deploys a large-scale program of building modern physics, while starting (not only as a physicist, but also a professional philosopher) with questions of philosophical interpretation of postulates of modern physics, especially quantum mechanics. His key thesis is that time in physics is fundamentally distinct, which represents the whole physics as an integral scientific discipline. Weizsacker comes from physical and philosophical reflections, that give a special value to his work. Analyzing the conclusions of theoretical physics, namely the issues of substantiation of statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and, above all, quantum mechanics, Weizsacker comes to the key idea of the structure of time in the substantiation of physical theory. The author in this conclusion disagrees with the opinion of most modern physicists that time has a subjective character, and the modus of the past, present and future reflects its essential character. The allocation of the time structure requires special logic. Such a logic is temporal and quantum. Starting from temporal logic, introducing the concept of possibility and probability, he comes to the substantiation of quantum mechanics. Being modal logic, it is based on the concept of possibility and probability. Key concept for Weizsacker is a binary alternative (Uralternative), closely related to the principle of superposition in quantum mechanics. By introducing the concept of certain alternatives, essentially actualized alternatives, Weizsacker shows how one can get the theory of relativity with its space-time structure. Further, he shows that based on its structure, you can get the theory of relativity. The space-time structure in this case is secondary, relational, as understood by Leibniz, Mach, and Einstein.

The Event Universe

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leemon B. McHenry
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Field ◽  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Common Sense ◽  
Physical Theory ◽  
Alfred North Whitehead ◽  
Bertrand Russell ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
The World ◽  
Modern Physics ◽  
Linguistic Methods

What kinds of things are events? Battles, explosions, accidents, crashes, rock concerts would be typical examples of events and these would be reinforced in the way we speak about the world. Events or actions function linguistically as verbs and adverbs. Philosophers following Aristotle have claimed that events are dependent on substances such as physical objects and persons. But with the advances of modern physics, some philosophers and physicists have argued that events are the basic entities of reality and what we perceive as physical bodies are just very long events spread out in space-time. In other words, everything turns out to be events. This view, no doubt, radically revises our ordinary common sense view of reality, but as our event theorists argue common sense is out of touch with advancing science. In The Event Universe: The Revisionary Metaphysics of Alfred North Whitehead, Leemon McHenry argues that Whitehead's metaphysics provides a more adequate basis for achieving a unification of physical theory than a traditional substance metaphysics. He investigates the influence of Maxwell's electromagnetic field, Einstein's theory of relativity and quantum mechanics on the development of the ontology of events and compares Whitehead’s theory to his contemporaries, C. D. Broad and Bertrand Russell, as well as another key proponent of this theory, W. V. Quine. In this manner, McHenry defends the naturalized and speculative approach to metaphysics as opposed to analytical and linguistic methods that arose in the 20th century.

Space-time structure of auroral radio absorption events observed with the imaging riometer at south pole

Radio Science ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 925-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Hargreaves ◽  
D. L. Detrick ◽  
T. J. Rosenberg
Keyword(s):  
Space Time ◽  
Time Structure ◽  
South Pole ◽  
Space Time Structure

scholarly journals SPACE–TIME STRUCTURE AND SPINOR GEOMETRY

2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
GEORGE SZEKERES ◽  
LINDSAY PETERS
Keyword(s):  
Cosmological Solution ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Time Structure ◽  
Variation Principle ◽  
Field Equations ◽  
Covering Group ◽  
Space Time Structure ◽  
Spinor Geometry ◽  
Complete Set ◽  
Particle Solution

AbstractThe structure of space–time is examined by extending the standard Lorentz connection group to its complex covering group, operating on a 16-dimensional “spinor” frame. A Hamiltonian variation principle is used to derive the field equations for the spinor connection. The result is a complete set of field equations which allow the sources of the gravitational and electromagnetic fields, and the intrinsic spin of a particle, to appear as a manifestation of the space–time structure. A cosmological solution and a simple particle solution are examined. Further extensions to the connection group are proposed.

Space‐time structure as a property derived from the operation of consciousness at the quantum-classical boundary

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11
Author(s):  
Liang Shan
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Problem ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Physical World ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Space Structure ◽  
Time Structure ◽  
Space Time Structure ◽  
Classical Boundary ◽  
Microscopic World ◽  
Near Death Experiences

The space‐time is empirically perceived as a pre-existing property of the universe. However, a special kind of perception that takes place in near-death-experiences (NDEs) is challenging this idea. Here, I will illustrate how understanding of this particular state of consciousness (named the bodiless consciousness) helps us re-think the space‐time structure of the physical world. I first speculate that the bodiless consciousness perceives the physical world as nonlocal 4D. I then propose that the space‐time is a “derived” feature subsequent to the emergence of perception of the bodiless consciousness, rather than a pre-existing and unchangeable property. Next, I explain that the space structure only takes place in the classical (or macroscopic) world rather than in the quantum (or microscopic) world, due to its intrinsic imperceptibility to the bodiless consciousness. Without a presupposed structure of the space, the strangeness of the quantum world is expected. Then, I bring up the old measurement problem. I will argue that it is the bodiless consciousness that may entangle with the superposed state of an observed system and trigger the collapse. Finally, I will briefly discuss the potential relationship between electromagnetic wave and consciousness.

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