Data: 11.03.2013. Hora: 12h.-14h. Lloc: Seminari de Filosofia (Faculty of Philosophy, Universitat de Barcelona, C/ Montalegre, 6-8, 4th Floor)
By Prof. Matteo Morganti (Roma)
Abstract
The present paper explores the relationship between the relational view of time, whereby time is reduced to relations between events, and the relationist approach to physical theory inspired by Leibniz, developed by Mach and recently revived by several authors. It takes its main cue from recent work in the interpretation of physical theory by Julian Barbour. It is argued that it is possible, and indeed advisable, to endorse Barbour’s Machian perspective on physical theory while not following him in his outright rejection of time as a non-existent entity. Indeed, doing so allows one to provide a scientifically credible background to the relational view of time and, symmetrically, the suggested metaphysical interpretation seems to circumvent at least some of the difficulties besetting Barbour’s views.