Year: 2004
Type: preprint
Abstract: In a purely relational theory there exists a tension between the relational character of the theory and the existence of quantities like distance and duration. We review this issue in the context of the Leibniz-Clarke correspondence. We then address this conflict by showing that a purely relational definition of length and time can be given, provided the dynamics of the theory is known. We further show that in such a setting it is natural to expect Lorentz transformations to describe the mapping between different observers. We then comment on how these insights can be used to make progress in the search for a theory of quantum gravity.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Author: Dreyer, Olaf
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1888890174