Bristol Benjamin Meaker Distinguished Visiting Professor Richard T. W. Arthur, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
School of Geographical Sciences, University Road Bristol BS8 1SS
It is often said that the main stumbling block preventing the creation of a successful theory of Quantum Gravity —the physical theory that attempts to combine Einstein’s General relativity and Quantum Theory —is the incompatibility between the treatments of time in the two theories. Moreover, many proponents of QG have contended that the implication of the mathematics is that time is not part of fundamental physical reality, and that the flow of time is an illusion. In this lecture Professor Arthur will examine many of the arguments supporting this view, exposing their roots in older philosophical prejudices, and their shortcomings as viable interpretations of the theories concerned. He will explain how an understanding of time flow as a local phenomenon relieves much of the difficulty, and then comment on the wider implications of his critique for the interpretation of modern physics.
This free talk is part of the 'Centre for Science and Philosophy' and the 'Thinking Science' Projects series. It is generously supported by a Bristol Benjamin Meaker Distinguished Visiting Professorship. Tickets on Eventbrite.
Enquiries to be directed to thinking-science@bristol.ac.uk
You can read more about Professor Richard T. W. Arthur and his research on his BBMDVP web profile page here.
Please contact Professor Arthur's host Dr Karim Thebault, Department of Philosophy.
