Effective Spacetime: Understanding Emergence in Effective Field Theory and Quantum Gravity [Hardcover]

This book?discusses?the notion that?quantum gravity may represent the breakdown of spacetime at extremely high energy scales. If spacetime does not exist at the fundamental level, then it?has to?be considered? emergent , in other words an effective structure, valid at low energy scales. The author develops?a conception of emergence appropriate to effective theories in physics, and shows how it applies (or could apply) in various approaches to quantum gravity, including condensed matter approaches, discrete approaches, and loop quantum gravity.Introduction: Spacetime and quantum gravity.- Emergence and reduction.- Effective field theory.- Universality, higher organising principles and emergence.- Spacetime as described by EFT.- Discrete approaches to quantum gravity.- Loop quantum gravity.-  Conclusion: Now here from nowhere.

Karen Crowther works in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Geneva. She holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, a BSc. (Hons.), and a BA. (Hons.) from Monash University.

This book?discusses?the notion that?quantum gravity may represent the breakdown of spacetime at extremely high energy scales. If spacetime does not exist at the fundamental level, then it?has to?be considered? emergent , in other words an effective structure, valid at low energy scales. The author develops?a conception of emergence appropriate to effective theories in physics, and shows how it applies (or could apply) in various approaches to quantum gravity, including condensed matter approaches, discrete approaches, and loop quantum gravity.A carefully reasoned and detailed presentation Addresses the existential questions of theoretical physics Of interest to both physicists and philosophers Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras