Question

Rovelli argues against both presentism and eternalism. Later he proposes third option in which the concept of "local present" is central. The problem is I cannot comprehend what this third option says about the universe. The way in which I understood it is that every point in spacetime has its own present. This sounds to me like "relativistic presentism", that is only present exists but the present is different for different points in spacetime. But this seems like very weird position to take and I have never seen anyone defend it so I doubt Rovelli would take it.

What is actually Rovelli's proposal?

Answer 1

Rovelli's proposal, known as the Relational Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, suggests that the present moment is different for different points in spacetime, challenging our intuitive understanding of time.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rovelli's proposal is known as the Relational Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. He argues against both presentism and eternalism, which are two opposing views on the nature of time. Rovelli suggests a third option, in which the concept of a 'local present' is central.

In this view, every point in spacetime has its own present, meaning that the present moment is different for different points in spacetime. This is similar to relativistic presentism, which proposes that only the present exists but that the present is different for different observers.

However, Rovelli's proposal goes beyond relativistic presentism. It suggests that the notion of a global present, applicable to the entire universe, is an illusion. Instead, Rovelli believes that reality is constructed through interactions between different systems, and these interactions determine what is present for each system.

This view challenges our intuitive understanding of time, but it is based on the principles of quantum mechanics and the theory of general relativity. Rovelli's proposal is still a subject of ongoing debate and research in the field of physics.