B Spacetime: The cause of matter?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on Jonathan Schaffer's paper proposing that matter arises from the curvature of spacetime, a concept known as super-substantivalism, as referenced by philosopher Philip Goff. This idea challenges the traditional view that mass causes spacetime curvature, suggesting instead that mass is a manifestation of spacetime itself. Participants question whether it is widely accepted that particles are merely manifestations of fields and if this perspective allows for a deeper understanding of mass as curvature. However, it is noted that Schaffer's philosophical approach lacks a mathematical model to make testable predictions, leading to the conclusion that the topic is more philosophical than scientific. Ultimately, the thread emphasizes the need for a physics-based model to substantiate such claims.
Buckethead
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Thoughts on the idea that the curvature of spacetime causes matter and not the other way around
In a paper written by Jonathan Schaffer entitled Spacetime the one substance (https://philpapers.org/rec/SCHSTO-7) which I have not read but which I found as a reference in a book by philosopher Philip Goff, Goff suggests that matter is actually created by a curvature in spacetime rather than the curvature of spacetime being caused by mass. An idea he refers to as super-substantivalism.

This idea is fascinating to me since I have seen videos or books (sorry no references) suggesting that particles an just manifestations of fields. So my questions are:
Is it generally accepted that particles are indeed just manifestations of fields and if so:
Does it make sense to leave out that middleman and just go one level deeper and accept that mass is just a manifestation of curvature of spacetime? It's an appealing idea and I was wondering what thoughts folks have on this idea?
 
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Space news on Phys.org
In Einstein equation LHS express a spacetime feature and RHS express energy-momentum. One is always accompanied by the other but it may not be appropriate to say one comes first then the other follows.
 
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Buckethead said:
Goff suggests that matter is actually created by a curvature in spacetime rather than the curvature of spacetime being caused by mass.
The paper you reference is philosophy, not physics. A physics model of this suggestion would have to actually do math to construct a model that actually made testable predictions. The paper does not do that. As such, it is off topic for discussion in this forum.

Thread closed.
 
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