Project description
Clarifying the concept of spacetime emergence
Current physics theories are characterised by their incompatibility and the absence of a fundamental theory of nature that provides a quantum description of space and time. Emergent spacetime theories (ESTs) have been proposed as solutions in the quest for quantum gravity, yet they encounter philosophical challenges stemming from a perceived gap between their mathematical framework and their postulated physical significance. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the FIndS project aims to address the conceptual issues surrounding ESTs, contributing to advancements in philosophy, particularly in areas related to spacetime, emergence, and indeterminacy, as well as in quantum physics. The project also advocates for a realist interpretative approach to defend scientific realism, even amidst theory change and proliferation.
Objective
It has been a long-lasting major mystery in modern physics that our current best theories, namely general relativity for spacetime and quantum mechanics (QM) for matter, are incompatible with each other, revealing deep conceptual flaws in the way we understand the physical world. We currently lack a truly fundamental theory of nature that provides a quantum description of space and time (i.e. a theory of quantum gravity (QG)). Yet, an important obstacle currently stands in the way of the current development of QG. Indeed, influential research programmes attempting to find a theory of QG yield theories in which spacetime is emergent, rather than fundamental. Such approaches, called emergent spacetime theories (ESTs), raise critical philosophical challenges for the very possibility of considering these theories as describing the fundamental physical world, beyond their mere mathematical content. There exists a gap between the mathematical nature of the theories and their postulated meaning. Such a gap is highly detrimental to the development of fundamental physics. The project FIndS intends to fill that gap by providing a clear, intelligible interpretation of what it means for spacetime to be emergent in ESTs.
The projects outputs are expected to contribute to the following scientific impacts. First, the research will provide a unified solution to the current conceptual obstacles of ESTs. In the long term, this can foster new knowledge in philosophy (of spacetime, emergence and indeterminacy), and quantum physics, thereby contributing to the objectives of the European Quantum Flagship initiative. Second, the research will promote a specific realist interpretative recipe that can, during and shortly after the project, be used as a defence of scientific realism in the face of theory change and proliferation.
The researcher has a background in physics and quantum metaphysics (esp. of spacetime). FIndS is the ideal project to complete her expertise in that field.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences relativistic mechanics
- natural sciences physical sciences quantum physics
- humanities philosophy, ethics and religion philosophy metaphysics
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80539 Planegg
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.