Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 149 | Lee Smolin on Time, Philosophy, and the Nature of Reality
May 31, 2021
Lee Smolin, a theoretical physicist and founding member of the Perimeter Institute, dives deep into the philosophy of physics. He challenges established ideas about time and quantum mechanics, advocating for radical shifts in understanding. Smolin explores the balance between innovative theories and traditional frameworks, such as the Many Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics. He emphasizes the importance of relationalism and background independence, questioning the foundations of reality and how consciousness interplays with the universe.
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Einstein's Revolution and its Challenges
- Einstein's revolution in physics involved quantum theory and a new understanding of space, time, and gravity.
- These areas still present challenges, including making sense of quantum mechanics and describing gravity like other fields.
Inspiration from QCD
- Lee Smolin's early work was inspired by quantized flux concepts in gauge fields from QCD.
- He applied similar ideas to the gravitational field, using a formulation provided by Abhay Ashtekar and Amitabha Sen.
Quantum Gravity and Other Forces
- String theorists and loop quantum gravity proponents debated whether studying gravity independently from other forces is feasible.
- Smolin believes it's sensible but including matter offers more compelling questions.
