It is commonly held that there is no place for the 'now’ in physics, and also that the passing of time is something subjective, having to do with the way reality is experienced but not with the way reality is. Indeed, the majority of modern theoretical physicists and philosophers of physics contend that the passing of time is incompatible with modern physical theory, and excluded in a fundamental description of physical reality. This book provides a forceful rebuttal of such claims. In successive chapters the author explains the historical precedents of the modern opposition to time flow, giving careful expositions of matters relevant to becoming in classical physics, the special and general theories of relativity, and quantum theory, without presupposing prior expertise in these subjects. Analysing the arguments of thinkers ranging from Aristotle, Russell, and Bergson to the proponents of quantum gravity, he contends that the passage of time, understood as a local becoming of events out of those in their past at varying rates, is not only compatible with the theories of modern physics, but implicit in them.
One of TIME’s Ten Best Nonfiction Books of the Decade "Meet the new Stephen Hawking . . . The Order of Time is a dazzling book." --The Sunday Times From the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Reality Is Not What It Seems, Helgoland, and Anaximander comes a concise, elegant exploration of time. Why do we remember the past and not the future? What does it mean for time to "flow"? Do we exist in time or does time exist in us? In lyric, accessible prose, Carlo Rovelli invites us to consider questions about the nature of time that continue to puzzle physicists and philosophers alike. For most readers this is unfamiliar terrain. We all experience time, but the more scientists learn about it, the more mysterious it remains. We think of it as uniform and universal, moving steadily from past to future, measured by clocks. Rovelli tears down these assumptions one by one, revealing a strange universe where at the most fundamental level time disappears. He explains how the theory of quantum gravity attempts to understand and give meaning to the resulting extreme landscape of this timeless world. Weaving together ideas from philosophy, science and literature, he suggests that our perception of the flow of time depends on our perspective, better understood starting from the structure of our brain and emotions than from the physical universe. Already a bestseller in Italy, and written with the poetic vitality that made Seven Brief Lessons on Physics so appealing, The Order of Time offers a profoundly intelligent, culturally rich, novel appreciation of the mysteries of time.
It is commonly held that there is no place for the 'now’ in physics, and also that the passing of time is something subjective, having to do with the way reality is experienced but not with the way reality is. Indeed, the majority of modern theoretical physicists and philosophers of physics contend that the passing of time is incompatible with modern physical theory, and excluded in a fundamental description of physical reality. This book provides a forceful rebuttal of such claims. In successive chapters the author explains the historical precedents of the modern opposition to time flow, giving careful expositions of matters relevant to becoming in classical physics, the special and general theories of relativity, and quantum theory, without presupposing prior expertise in these subjects. Analysing the arguments of thinkers ranging from Aristotle, Russell, and Bergson to the proponents of quantum gravity, he contends that the passage of time, understood as a local becoming of events out of those in their past at varying rates, is not only compatible with the theories of modern physics, but implicit in them.
The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality offers an insightful journey into the depths of cosmology, providing an in-depth exploration of the fundamental concepts and theories that shape our understanding of the universe. This captivating book takes readers on a captivating odyssey, unraveling the mysteries of space, time, and the intricate texture of reality. From the very beginning, the book sets the stage with an Introduction to Cosmology, presenting an overview of the Big Bang Theory and the theoretical frameworks that underpin cosmological studies. Understanding the origins of the universe becomes a fascinating endeavor as the book delves into the early universe, discussing concepts such as inflation theory and the formation of cosmic structures. Observational methods in cosmology take center stage in Chapter 2, where readers are introduced to telescopes and observatories, along with the significance of cosmic microwave background radiation. As the exploration continues, the book covers topics such as redshift and Hubble's Law, as well as the intriguing measurements and implications of dark matter and dark energy. The Cosmic Microwave Background is thoroughly examined in Chapter 4, highlighting its discovery and importance. Exploring cosmic microwave background anisotropy and the cosmological implications of polarization brings readers closer to comprehending the intricate fabric of the universe. Another captivating topic covered in the book is the formation of structures in the universe. Chapter 5 unveils the large-scale structure of the universe, shedding light on galaxy clusters, superclusters, and the fascinating birth of galaxies. Expanding the scope of inquiry, Chapter 6 delves into the evolution of stars and galaxies, offering an enthralling examination of stellar evolution, galactic morphology and evolution, as well as the captivating world of active galactic nuclei. Dark matter and dark energy, the enigmatic components that shape our universe, take the spotlight in Chapter 7. Readers are immersed in a comprehensive exploration of the nature, properties, and implications of dark matter and dark energy, unraveling their roles in the expansion of the universe and the development of cosmological models. The book takes a mind-bending turn in Chapter 8, where the concept of parallel universes and multiple dimensions is explored. Through the lens of multiverse theories, readers are invited to contemplate the mind-boggling possibilities presented by string theory, the Many Worlds Interpretation, and the Anthropic Principle. Chapter 9 delves into cosmological models and theories, presenting the standard cosmological model (ΛCDM), alternative models, and modifications, as well as the intriguing realm of quantum cosmology. Finally, the book concludes with Chapter 10, providing thought-provoking insights into the fate of the universe. Will it experience a Big Freeze, a Big Crunch, or a Big Rip? Multiverse scenarios and the ultimate destiny of the universe offer captivating perspectives that will leave readers pondering the awe-inspiring nature of existence. The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality is a must-read for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the cosmos. With its engaging narrative and in-depth exploration of cosmological concepts, this book is an invaluable resource for both novice and seasoned enthusiasts. Embark on an enlightening journey through the depths of the cosmos, and unlock the secrets of the universe's fabric.
This is the first comprehensive book on the philosophy of time. Leading philosophers discuss the metaphysics of time, our experience and representation of time, the role of time in ethics and action, and philosophical issues in the sciences of time, especially quantum mechanics and relativity theory.
Why does time seem to flow in one direction? Can we influence the past? Is only the present real? Does relativity conflict with our common understanding of time? Could science do away with time? These questions and others about time are among the most puzzling problems in philosophy and science. In this exciting collection of original articles, eminent philosophers propose novel answers to these and other questions. Based on the latest research in philosophy and physics, these essays will be enjoyable to anyone with a speculative turn of mind.
An introduction to "flow," a new field of behavioral science that offers life-fulfilling potential, explains its principles and shows how to introduce flow into all aspects of life, avoiding the interferences of disharmony.
"An accessible and engaging exploration of the mysteries of time." -Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe Twenty years ago, Stephen Hawking tried to explain time by understanding the Big Bang. Now, Sean Carroll says we need to be more ambitious. One of the leading theoretical physicists of his generation, Carroll delivers a dazzling and paradigm-shifting theory of time's arrow that embraces subjects from entropy to quantum mechanics to time travel to information theory and the meaning of life. From Eternity to Here is no less than the next step toward understanding how we came to exist, and a fantastically approachable read that will appeal to a broad audience of armchair physicists, and anyone who ponders the nature of our world.
As we navigate through life we instinctively model time as having a flowing present that divides a fixed past from open future. This model develops in childhood and is deeply saturated within our language, thought and behavior, affecting our conceptions of the universe, freedom and the self. Yet as central as it is to our lives, physics seems to have no room for this flowing present. What Makes Time Special? demonstrates this claim in detail and then turns to two novel positive tasks. First, by looking at the world "sideways" - in the spatial directions -- it shows that physics is not "spatializing time" as is commonly alleged. Even relativity theory makes significant distinctions between the spacelike and timelike directions, often with surprising consequences. Second, if the flowing present is an illusion, it is a deep one worthy of explanation. The author develops a picture whereby the temporal flow arises as an interaction effect between an observer and the physics of the world. Using insights from philosophy, cognitive science, biology, psychology and physics, the theory claims that the flowing present model of time is the natural reaction to the perceptual and evolutionary challenges thrown at us. Modeling time as flowing makes sense even if it misrepresents it.
