Reversing the Arrow of Time

Rigorous and interdisciplinary perspective on the meaning and origin of the arrow of time, drawing on physics and its philosophy.

Bryan W. Roberts (Author)

9781009123327, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 December 2022

200 pages
25 x 17.6 x 1.9 cm, 0.63 kg

The arrow of time refers to the curious asymmetry that distinguishes the future from the past. Reversing the Arrow of Time argues that there is an intimate link between the symmetries of 'time itself' and time reversal symmetry in physical theories, which has wide-ranging implications for both physics and its philosophy. This link helps to clarify how we can learn about the symmetries of our world; how to understand the relationship between symmetries and what is real, and how to overcome pervasive illusions about the direction of time. Roberts explains the significance of time reversal in a way that intertwines physics and philosophy, to establish what the arrow of time means and how we can come to know it. This book is both mathematically and philosophically rigorous yet remains accessible to advanced undergraduates in physics and philosophy of physics. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

1. A brief history of time reversal
2. What time reversal means
3. Time reversal in physical theory
4. Philosophy of symmetry
5. Arrows that misfire
6. There is no thermodynamic arrow
7. Time reversal violation
8. Representing CPT
Epilogue
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH], Time [chronology, time systems & standards PGZ], Philosophy of science [PDA], Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology [HPJ]