The dynamical foundations of physical geometry

Thesis

This thesis is in two related parts. The first part presents arguments against the claim that the metric of general relativity is invariably spatiotemporal. This is done by discussing plausible criteria for spatiotemporality and demonstrat- ing violations of those criteria. This leads to a question about the so-called chronometric significance of the metric, a central component of Brown and Pooley’s dynamical approach to spacetime theories. The dynamical approach is scrutinised and, in the second part of the thesis, expressed, in opposition to the geometrical approach in a mathemtically novel way. This re-formulation of the position is then used to counter an ostensibly robust argument against the dynamical approach. This thesis is composed of five chapters.

Authors: Menon, T

• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford