Time and Temporal Asymmetries

Dear Colleagues,

Time is probably one of the most mysterious ingredients of the universe. On the one hand, time is unique and elusive. On the other, it seems to be an intrinsic, familiar part of our lives and world. It is then no surprise that philosophers and scientists have found in the nature of time a fertile terrain for philosophical and scientific inquiry. However, the more we dig into the nature of time, the more mysteries emerge. It is plain that time seems to pass by, but how? What does it mean that time ‘passes by’? What is the physics behind the seeming passing of time? It is also plain that time is directed, pointing to the future, flying away from the past, but how? Does time really have a direction? What physical evidence do we have at disposal to make sense of the idea of a ‘direction of time’? May time be directionless?

Time is not only mysterious by itself, but also for its relations to many temporal asymmetries. Philosophers and scientists alike have suggested that time could be related to the increase of entropy in isolated systems, to the expansion of the universe, to electromagnetic radiation, to the geometry of space-time, etc. Yet, any of these temporal asymmetries involves further issues: symmetric boundary conditions or time-reversal invariant dynamics speak against, rather than in favor of, temporal asymmetries and many properties of time. Even more, according to cutting-edge science, as some theories of quantum gravity suggest, time might even dilute at the fundamental level, being considered as an emergent feature of reality. However, what is the relation between time and temporal asymmetries? Does time explain them? Or do they explain what time is? If time does not exist at the fundamental level, how do all the temporal asymmetries we have experience of emerge at the macroscopic level? Can we dispense with time to do science and philosophy?

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore these scientific and philosophical problems in an interdisciplinary manner by counting on the collaboration of scientists and philosophers working in the field. Scientific aspects of time and temporal asymmetries as well as more philosophically oriented discussions are thus equally welcome and strongly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Olimpia Lombardi
Dr. Cristian López
Guest Editors

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