English

Pure shape dynamics, self-subsisting structures, and the nature of time

History and Philosophy of Physics 2024-08-01 v1

Abstract

The paper discusses the possible implications of the relational framework of Pure Shape Dynamics for the metaphysics of time. The starting point of the analysis is an interpretation of shapes in ontic structural realist terms, which gives rise to the notion of self-subsisting structure. The relational version of a Newtonian-particle toy model is introduced and discussed as a concrete example.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2407.21132,
  title  = {Pure shape dynamics, self-subsisting structures, and the nature of time},
  author = {Antonio Vassallo and Pedro Naranjo},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2407.21132},
  year   = {2024}
}

Comments

25 pages, 3 figures. Forthcoming in the special issue "On time in the foundations of physics" of the Journal for General Philosophy of Science

R2 v1 2026-06-28T17:58:38.476Z