The Problem of Time: Quantum Mechanics Versus General Relativity (Fundamental Theories of Physics)

has also occupied positions at the University of Alberta, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Université Paris 7 (with a FQXi large grant to study the titular Problem of Time).. Anderson graduated from Cambridge with distinction in Part III Mathematics, and did a PhD in General Relativity at Queen Mary, University of London, before returning to Cambridge as a Research Fellow of Peterhouse and mem

As hitherto formulated, the different facets of the Problem of Time greatly interfere with each others' attempted resolutions. These differences jointly source the Problem of Time: Nine interlinked facets which arise upon attempting concurrent treatment of the QM and GR paradigms, as is required in particular for a background independent theory of quantum gravity.  A sizeable proportion of current quantum gravity programs - e.g. Finally, this book outlines how supergravity is refreshingly different from GR as a realization of background independence, and what background independence entails at the topological level and beyond. . From the Back CoverThis book is a treatise on time and on background independence in physics. By this development, and interpreting shape theory as modelling background independence, this book further establishes background independence as a field of study.  Background independent mechanics, as well as minisuperspace (

Finally, this book outlines how supergravity is refreshingly different from GR as a realization of background independence, and what background independence entails at the topological level and beyond. . This book explains how, none the less, a local resolution of the Problem of Time can be arrived at after various reconceptualizations of the facets and reformulations of their mathematical implementation.  Self-contained appendices on mathematical methods for basic and foundational quantum gravity are included. This book's foundational topic