Spacetime: The cause of matter?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Buckethead
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cause Matter Spacetime
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

In the discussion regarding Jonathan Schaffer's paper "Spacetime the one substance," philosopher Philip Goff posits that matter is a result of curvature in spacetime, a concept known as super-substantivalism. This challenges the traditional view that mass causes spacetime curvature. Participants debated the acceptance of particles as manifestations of fields and the implications of considering mass as a manifestation of spacetime curvature. However, it was concluded that the paper lacks a physics model capable of making testable predictions, rendering it unsuitable for further discussion in a physics context.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's equations and their implications in general relativity.
  • Familiarity with the concept of super-substantivalism in philosophy.
  • Knowledge of particle physics and field theory.
  • Basic comprehension of spacetime curvature and its relationship to mass and energy.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of Einstein's equations on spacetime and mass relationships.
  • Explore the philosophical underpinnings of super-substantivalism and its critiques.
  • Study particle physics to understand the nature of particles as manifestations of fields.
  • Investigate mathematical models that can predict outcomes based on spacetime curvature.
USEFUL FOR

Philosophers, physicists, and students of theoretical physics interested in the relationship between matter and spacetime, as well as those exploring the philosophical implications of modern physics theories.

Buckethead
Gold Member
Messages
560
Reaction score
38
TL;DR
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?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Delta2
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.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Buckethead
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.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Vanadium 50

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
5K