Is it time to rethink quantum gravity?

Author:

Jonathan Oppenheim

Keyword:

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc), High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th), Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

journal:

date:

2023-10-17 16:00:00

Abstract

Although it's widely believed that gravity should have a quantum nature like every other force, the conceptual obstacles to constructing a quantum theory of gravity compel us to explore other perspectives. Gravity is not like any other force. It alone defines a universal space-time geometry, upon which quantum fields evolve. We feel gravity because matter causes space-time to bend. Time flows at unequal rates at different locations. The rate at which time flows, and the causal structure it provides, may be required to have a classical description in order for quantum theory to be well-formulated. I discuss arguments for this proposition, but ultimately conclude that we must turn to experiment to guide us.

PDF: Is it time to rethink quantum gravity?.pdf