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This volume offers a fundamentally different way of conceptualizing
time and reality. Today, we see time predominantly as the
linear-sequential order of events, and reality accordingly as
consisting of facts that can be ordered along sequential time. But
what if this conceptualization has us mistaking the "exhausts" for
the "real thing", i.e. if we miss the best, the actual taking place
of reality as it occurs in a very differently structured,
primordial form of time, the time-space of the present? In this new
conceptual framework, both the sequential aspect of time and the
factual aspect of reality are emergent phenomena that come into
being only after reality has actually taken place. In the new view,
facts are just the "traces" that the actual taking place of reality
leaves behind on the co-emergent "canvas'' of local spacetime.
Local spacetime itself emerges only as facts come into being - and
only facts can be adequately localized in it. But, how does reality
then actually occur? It is conceived as a "constellatory
self-unfolding", characterized by strong self-referentiality, and
taking place in the primordial form of time, the not yet
sequentially structured "time-space of the present". Time is seen
here as an ontophainetic platform, i.e. as the stage on which
reality can first occur. This view of time (and, thus, also space)
seems to be very much in accordance with what we encounter in
quantum physics before the so-called collapse of the wave function.
In parallel, classical and relativistic physics largely operate
within the factual portrait of reality, and the sequential aspect
of time, respectively. Only singularities constitute an important
exemption: here the canvas of local spacetime - that emerged
together with factization - melts down again. In the novel
framework quantum reduction and singularities can be seen and
addressed as inverse transitions: In quantum physical state
reduction reality "gains" the chrono-ontological format of
facticity, and the sequential aspect of time becomes applicable. In
singularities, by contrast, the inverse happens: Reality loses its
local spacetime formation and reverts back into its primordial,
pre-local shape - making in this way the use of causality
relations, Boolean logic and the dichotomization of subject and
object obsolete. For our understanding of the relation between
quantum and relativistic physics this new view opens up
fundamentally new perspectives: Both are legitimate views of time
and reality, they just address very different chrono-ontological
portraits, and thus should not lead us to erroneously subjugating
one view under the other. The task of the book is to provide a
formal framework in which this radically different view of time and
reality can be addressed properly. The mathematical approach is
based on the logical and topological features of the Borromean
Rings. It draws upon concepts and methods of algebraic and
geometric topology - especially the theory of sheaves and links,
group theory, logic and information theory, in relation to the
standard constructions employed in quantum mechanics and general
relativity, shedding new light on the pestilential problems of
their compatibility. The intended audience includes physicists,
mathematicians and philosophers with an interest in the conceptual
and mathematical foundations of modern physics.
This volume offers a fundamentally different way of conceptualizing
time and reality. Today, we see time predominantly as the
linear-sequential order of events, and reality accordingly as
consisting of facts that can be ordered along sequential time. But
what if this conceptualization has us mistaking the "exhausts" for
the "real thing", i.e. if we miss the best, the actual taking place
of reality as it occurs in a very differently structured,
primordial form of time, the time-space of the present? In this new
conceptual framework, both the sequential aspect of time and the
factual aspect of reality are emergent phenomena that come into
being only after reality has actually taken place. In the new view,
facts are just the "traces" that the actual taking place of reality
leaves behind on the co-emergent "canvas'' of local spacetime.
Local spacetime itself emerges only as facts come into being - and
only facts can be adequately localized in it. But, how does reality
then actually occur? It is conceived as a "constellatory
self-unfolding", characterized by strong self-referentiality, and
taking place in the primordial form of time, the not yet
sequentially structured "time-space of the present". Time is seen
here as an ontophainetic platform, i.e. as the stage on which
reality can first occur. This view of time (and, thus, also space)
seems to be very much in accordance with what we encounter in
quantum physics before the so-called collapse of the wave function.
In parallel, classical and relativistic physics largely operate
within the factual portrait of reality, and the sequential aspect
of time, respectively. Only singularities constitute an important
exemption: here the canvas of local spacetime - that emerged
together with factization - melts down again. In the novel
framework quantum reduction and singularities can be seen and
addressed as inverse transitions: In quantum physical state
reduction reality "gains" the chrono-ontological format of
facticity, and the sequential aspect of time becomes applicable. In
singularities, by contrast, the inverse happens: Reality loses its
local spacetime formation and reverts back into its primordial,
pre-local shape - making in this way the use of causality
relations, Boolean logic and the dichotomization of subject and
object obsolete. For our understanding of the relation between
quantum and relativistic physics this new view opens up
fundamentally new perspectives: Both are legitimate views of time
and reality, they just address very different chrono-ontological
portraits, and thus should not lead us to erroneously subjugating
one view under the other. The task of the book is to provide a
formal framework in which this radically different view of time and
reality can be addressed properly. The mathematical approach is
based on the logical and topological features of the Borromean
Rings. It draws upon concepts and methods of algebraic and
geometric topology - especially the theory of sheaves and links,
group theory, logic and information theory, in relation to the
standard constructions employed in quantum mechanics and general
relativity, shedding new light on the pestilential problems of
their compatibility. The intended audience includes physicists,
mathematicians and philosophers with an interest in the conceptual
and mathematical foundations of modern physics.
The current volume of the Parmenides Series "On Thinking" addresses
our deepest and most personal experience of the world, the
experience of "the present," from a modern perspective combining
physics and philosophy. Many prominent researchers have contributed
articles to the volume, in which they present models and express
their opinions on and, in some cases, also their skepticism about
the subject and how it may be (or may not be) addressed, as well as
which aspects they consider most relevant in this context. While
Einstein might have once hoped that "the present" would find its
place in the theory of general relativity, in a later discussion
with Carnap he expressed his disappointment that he was never able
to achieve this goal. This collection of articles provides a unique
overview of different modern approaches, representing not only a
valuable summary for experts, but also a nearly inexhaustible
source of profound and novel ideas for those who are simply
interested in this question.
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