Beyond Spacetime: The Foundations of Quantum Gravity

One of the greatest challenges in fundamental physics is to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity in a theory of quantum gravity. A successful theory would have profound consequences for our understanding of space, time, and matter. This collection of essays written by eminent physicists and philosophers discusses these consequences and examines the most important conceptual questions among philosophers and physicists in their search for a quantum theory of gravity. Comprising three parts, the book explores the emergence of classical spacetime, the nature of time, and important questions of the interpretation, metaphysics, and epistemology of quantum gravity. These essays will appeal to both physicists and philosophers of science working on problems in foundational physics, specifically that of quantum gravity.

Nick Huggett is LAS Distinguished Professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He has worked in the field of the philosophy of quantum gravity for over twenty years. He is co-editor of Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale (Cambridge, 2001) and is Co-Director of the 'Beyond Spacetime' research project, funded by NSF, Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi), John Templeton Foundation, and American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS).

Keizo Matsubara is an Affiliated Researcher at Uppsala University. His philosophical work primarily addresses string theory. He has held postdoctoral positions at the Rotman Institute of Philosophy at Western University, and the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Christian Wüthrich is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Université de Genève. He works in philosophy of physics, philosophy of science, and metaphysics. Starting with his doctoral research, the primary focus of his research has long been the philosophy of quantum gravity. He is Co-Director of the 'Beyond Spacetime' research project, funded by NSF, Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi), John Templeton Foundation, and American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS).