2010/11/10 by Peter William Evans, Evans, Peter W.
Physics and Astronomy · #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph) #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Relativity and Gravitational Theory
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1011.2285
openalex publication_date 2010/11/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The traditional metaphysical debate between static and dynamic views in the philosophy of time is examined in light of considerations concerning the nature of time in physical theory. Adapting the formalism of Rovelli (1995, 2004), I set out a precise framework in which to characterise the formal structure of time that we find in physical theory. This framework is used to provide a new perspective on the relationship between the metaphysics of time and the special theory of relativity by emphasising the dual representations of time that we find in special relativity. I extend this analysis to the general theory of relativity with a view to prescribing the constraints that must be heeded for a metaphysical theory of time to remain within the bounds of a naturalistic metaphysics.