The Labyrinth of Time

Modern physics has revealed the universe as a stranger place than we could have imagined. The puzzle at the centre of our knowledge of the universe is time. This book investigates philosophical questions, our experience of time, and the possibility of time travel. It covers an introduction to the physics of time and the structure of the universe.

'Michael Lockwood's book...is a model of balance and clarity....Lockwood's style is clear and straightforward'

Texte du rabat

Modern physics has revealed our knowledge of the universe as a much stranger place than we could have imagined. The puzzle at the center of our understanding of the universe is time. Michael Lockwood takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the nature of things. He investigates philosophical questions about the past, present, and future, our experience of time, and the possibility of time travel. And he provides the most careful, lively, and up-to-date introduction to the physics of time and the structure of the universe. His aim is not just to boggle the mind, but to lead the reader towards an understanding of the science and philosophy.

Résumé
Modern physics has revealed the universe as a much stranger place than we could have imagined. This book investigates philosophical questions about past, present, and future, our experience of time, and the possibility of time travel. It provides an introduction to the physics of time and the structure of the universe.

Contenu

• 1: Two Concepts of Time

• 2: Time and Space: a Marriage is Arranged

• 3: Taking Space-Time Seriously

• 4: From Flat to Curved Space-Time

• 5: Weaving the Cosmic Tapestry

• 6: Closed Timelike Curves: Science Fact or Science Fiction?

• 7: Classical Time Travel: the Toils of Paradox

• 8: Hamilton's Legacy: Physical Systems and their State Spaces

• 9: Time Asymmetry and the Second Law

• 10: Entropy, Electrodynamics and the Role of Gravity

• 11: 'Drawn Through Life Backwards'

• 12: The Unyielding Past

• 13: The Emergence of Order

• 14: From Quantum Leaps to Schrodinger's Cat

• 15: Schrodinger's Time Traveller

• 16: Space, Time, and Quantum Gravity: Physics at the Frontier

• 17: The Time of Our Lives

• 18: Epilogue