Background Independence in Classical and Quantum Gravity

It is often claimed that any quantum theory of gravity needs its defining equations to be independent of a particular spacetime geometry. James Read illuminates our understanding of background independence by mapping its possible definitions and assessing how various classical and quantum theories of gravity fare on these criteria.

List of contents

• 1: Introduction


• 2: Models and Gauge


• 3: Classical Background Independence


• 4: Classical Theories of Spacetime


• 5: Quantum Theories of Spacetime


• 6: Conclusions

About the author

James Read is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford. He studied Physics and Philosophy at Oxford, and Mathematics at Cambridge, before completing a doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford in 2018. He works in the philosophy of physics, in particular on issues in the foundations of spacetime theories and symmetries. His work has won various international awards, including the Hanneke Janssen Prize and Clifton Memorial Prize.

Summary

It is often claimed that any quantum theory of gravity needs its defining equations to be independent of a particular spacetime geometry. James Read illuminates our understanding of background independence by mapping its possible definitions and assessing how various classical and quantum theories of gravity fare on these criteria.

Product details

• Authors: Dr James (Associate Professor Read, James Read
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 09.11.2023
• EAN: 9780192889119
• ISBN: 978-0-19-288911-9
• No. of pages: 160
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Theoretical physics; PHILOSOPHY / Metaphysics, SCIENCE / Physics / Quantum Theory, PHILOSOPHY / Movements / General, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Quantum physics (quantum mechanics & quantum field theory), Quantum physics (quantum mechanics and quantum field theory)