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A Proposal for a Bohmian Ontology of Quantum Gravity

Vassallo, Antonio ; Esfeld, Michael

In: Foundations of Physics, 2014, vol. 44, no. 1, p. 1-18

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    Titre
    • A Proposal for a Bohmian Ontology of Quantum Gravity
    Auteur
    • Vassallo, Antonio. Department of Philosophy, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
    • Esfeld, Michael. Department of Philosophy, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • Foundations of Physics, 2014, vol. 44, no. 1, p. 1-18. Springer US; http://www.springer-ny.com
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:325914
    Summary
    The paper shows how the Bohmian approach to quantum physics can be applied to develop a clear and coherent ontology of non-perturbative quantum gravity. We suggest retaining discrete objects as the primitive ontology also when it comes to a quantum theory of space-time and therefore focus on loop quantum gravity. We conceive atoms of space, represented in terms of nodes linked by edges in a graph, as the primitive ontology of the theory and show how a non-local law in which a universal and stationary wave-function figures can provide an order of configurations of such atoms of space such that the classical space-time of general relativity is approximated. Although there is as yet no fully worked out physical theory of quantum gravity, we regard the Bohmian approach as setting up a standard that proposals for a serious ontology in this field should meet and as opening up a route for fruitful physical and mathematical investigations.