English

Philosophical problems of space-time theories

History and Philosophy of Physics 2015-03-19 v2 Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

Abstract

I present a discussion of some open issues in the philosophy of space-time theories. Emphasis is put on the ontological nature of space and time, the relation between determinism and predictability, the origin of irreversible processes in an expanding Universe, and the compatibility of relativity and quantum mechanics. In particular, I argue for a Parmenidean view of time and change, I make clear the difference between ontological determinism and predictability, propose that the origin of the asymmetry observed in physical processes is related to the existence of cosmological horizons, and present a non-local concept of causality that can accommodate both special relativity and quantum entanglement.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1105.4376,
  title  = {Philosophical problems of space-time theories},
  author = {Gustavo E. Romero},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1105.4376},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

20 pages, small changes to match the version published by Cambridge University Press

R2 v1 2026-06-21T18:10:51.064Z