Reversing the Arrow of Time

Erscheinungsjahr 2022
ISBN: 978-1-00-912332-7
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 200 Seiten, HC gerader Rücken kaschiert, Format (B × H): 175 mm x 250 mm, Gewicht: 642 g

The arrow of time refers to the curious asymmetry that distinguishes the future from the past. Reversing the Arrow of Time argues that there is an intimate link between the symmetries of 'time itself' and time reversal symmetry in physical theories, which has wide-ranging implications for both physics and its philosophy. This link helps to clarify how we can learn about the symmetries of our world; how to understand the relationship between symmetries and what is real, and how to overcome pervasive illusions about the direction of time. Roberts explains the significance of time reversal in a way that intertwines physics and philosophy, to establish what the arrow of time means and how we can come to know it. This book is both mathematically and philosophically rigorous yet remains accessible to advanced undergraduates in physics and philosophy of physics. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Roberts, Bryan W.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Metaphysik, Ontologie
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Wissenschaftstheorie, Wissenschaftsphilosophie
• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Zeiterfassung, Chronologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. A brief history of time reversal; 2. What time reversal means; 3. Time reversal in physical theory; 4. Philosophy of symmetry; 5. Arrows that misfire; 6. There is no thermodynamic arrow; 7. Time reversal violation; 8. Representing CPT; Epilogue; References; Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Roberts, Bryan W.
Bryan W. Roberts is Associate Professor at the London School of Economics where he directs the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Sciences (CPNSS). He won the Leverhulme Prize in 2017 for his work on observables, and he publishes work in many areas of philosophy and physics.