Related papers: The Ground Axiom
It is shown here that the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics supports the view that gravity need not be quantized. It is shown that the SM gives a consistent description of the origin of the universe. It is guggested that the universe…
Quantum theory's irreducible empirical core is a probability calculus. While it presupposes the events to which (and on the basis of which) it serves to assign probabilities, and therefore cannot account for their occurrence, it has to be…
We argue that if de Sitter space is indeed represented by a finite dimensional quantum system, then semi-classical considerations, combined with the fundamental principles of quantum measurement theory, imply that any theoretical model of…
For a fixed set $X$, an arbitrary \textit{weight structure} $d \in [0,\infty]^{X \times X}$ can be interpreted as a distance assignment between pairs of points on $X$. Restrictions (i.e. \textit{metric axioms}) on the behaviour of any such…
The problem of constructing global models describing isolated axially symmetric rotating bodies in equilibrium is analyzed. It is claimed that, whenever the global spacetime is constructed by giving boundary data on the limiting surface of…
While axions seem ubiquitous in critical string theories, whether they might survive in any string theoretic description of nature is a difficult question. With some mild assumptions, one can frame the issues in the case that there is an…
We define a distinguished "ground state" or "vacuum" for a free scalar quantum field in a globally hyperbolic region of an arbitrarily curved spacetime. Our prescription is motivated by the recent construction of a quantum field theory on a…
Three theoretical criteria for gravitational theories beyond general relativity are considered: obtaining the cosmological constant as an integration constant, deriving the energy conservation law as a consequence of the field equations,…
Forcing axioms are generalizations of Baire category principles that allow one to intersect more dense open sets and to do so in a wider variety of circumstances. In this paper we introduce two new forcing axioms related to posets which…
We consider a quantum theory based on a Galois field. In this approach infinities cannot exist, the cosmological constant problem does not arise, and one irreducible representation (IR) of the symmetry algebra splits into independent IRs…
In this paper we will develop an axiomatic foundation for the geometric study of straight edge, protractor, and compass constructions, which while being related to previous foundations, will be the first to have all axioms written and all…
We review our most recent results in formulating gauge theories in the presence of a background field on the basis of symmetry arguments only. In particular we show how one can gain full control over the dependence on the background field…
We consider E. Verlinde's proposal that gravity is an entropic force -- we shall call this theory entropic gravity (EG) -- and reanalyze a recent claim that this theory is in contradiction with the observation of the gravitationally-bound…
What is the nature of reality? How should be an answer to this question? At this level, we are so deep that all our concepts are obscure. Quantum theory (QT) is at this level. The quest for interpreting it fails because the clarity of our…
Forking is a central notion of model theory, generalizing linear independence in vector spaces and algebraic independence in fields. We develop the theory of forking in abstract, category-theoretic terms, for reasons both practical (we…
This paper gives a thorough critique of the foundations of quantum physics in its mainstream interpretation (i.e., treating pure states as primitives, without reference to hidden variables, and without modifications of the quantum laws).…
Recently, table-top experiments involving massive quantum systems have been proposed to test the interface of quantum theory and gravity. In particular, the crucial point of the debate is whether it is possible to conclude anything on the…
In physics, there is the prevailing intuition that we are part of a unique external world, and that the goal of physics is to understand and describe this world. This assumption of the fundamentality of objective reality is often seen as a…
The cosmological constant problem can be understood as the failure of the decoupling principle behind effective field theory, so that some quantities in the low-energy theory are extremely sensitive to the high-energy properties. While this…
We give a broad overview of a construction of a theory for matter on fixed causal set backgrounds. We introduce the Sorkin-Johnston formalism for a free (real) scalar field theory that is applicable to regions of continuum spacetimes as…