The meaning of time in curved space quantization

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interpretation of time in the context of diffeomorphism invariant theories, particularly in quantum gravity. Rovelli's recent essay, accessible at http://fqxi.org//data/essay-contest-files/Rovelli_Time.pdf, argues that there is no absolute or preferred time in such theories. Instead, time is represented through various imperfect observables that function as clocks, which correlate with natural processes. This perspective challenges traditional notions of time in physics and emphasizes the role of chosen clocks in making predictions about observable phenomena.

PREREQUISITES
  • Diffeomorphism invariant theory
  • Quantum gravity concepts
  • Observable correlational analysis
  • Understanding of Rovelli's theories on time
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  • Read Rovelli's essay on time in diffeomorphism invariant theories
  • Explore the implications of imperfect observables in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the role of clocks in predicting physical phenomena
  • Study the outcomes of the FQXi time essay contest for diverse perspectives
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Physicists, researchers in quantum gravity, and students interested in the philosophical implications of time in theoretical physics will benefit from this discussion.

luxxio
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in diffeomorphism invariant theory, which is the meaning of the time in quantization?
or in other words which is the right time for quantization?
 
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luxxio said:
in diffeomorphism invariant theory, which is the meaning of the time in quantization?
or in other words which is the right time for quantization?

Rovelli's position on this is summarized in his recent essay on time.
http://fqxi.org//data/essay-contest-files/Rovelli_Time.pdf

The winners of the time essay contest should be announced within a week or ten days, I'd say.

I think the gist of Rovelli's essay is that in a diffeo invariant theory there is no preferred or absolute time---there are only various imperfect observables which you can use as clocks. These correspond to natural processes---to real devices of one sort or another. If you choose one of them to serve as your clock, then what you can predict are the correlations between the clock and other observables.

There's more to the essay, but that's it for starters.
 
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