The Issue of the Beginning in Quantum Gravity
History and Philosophy of Physics
2007-05-23 v2
Abstract
The goal of this report is to provide an up to date account of results on the quantum nature of the big bang, obtained in loop quantum cosmology. They suggest a radical modification of the paradigm provided by general relativity for the issue of the Beginning. The article is addressed primarily to historians and philosophers of science.
Cite
@article{arxiv.physics/0605078,
title = {The Issue of the Beginning in Quantum Gravity},
author = {Abhay Ashtekar},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0605078},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
Minor typos corrected, including a factor of $\pi$ in the expression of critical density. 15 pages, 2 figures. History and Philosophy of Physics. Based on an invited talk at the 7th International Conference on the History of General Relativity (HGR7), "Einstein and the Changing World View of Physics, 1905-2005", held at Tenerife, Canary Islands in 2005