The arrow of time refers to the curious asymmetry that distinguishes the future from the past. Reversing the Arrow of Time argues that there is an intimate link between the symmetries of 'time itself' and time reversal symmetry in physical theories, which has wide-ranging implications for both physics and its philosophy. This link helps to clarify how we can learn about the symmetries of our world; how to understand the relationship between symmetries and what is real, and how to overcome pervasive illusions about the direction of time. Roberts explains the significance of time reversal in a way that intertwines physics and philosophy, to establish what the arrow of time means and how we can come to know it. This book is both mathematically and philosophically rigorous yet remains accessible to advanced undergraduates in physics and philosophy of physics. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Rigorous and interdisciplinary perspective on the meaning and origin of the arrow of time, drawing on physics and its philosophy.

About the Author
Bryan W. Roberts is Associate Professor at the London School of Economics where he directs the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Sciences (CPNSS). He won the Leverhulme Prize in 2017 for his work on observables, and he publishes work in many areas of philosophy and physics.

Reviews
'... the book is complementary to many discussions about (real or imagined) arrows of time in physics, and is clearly written despite the philosophical and mathematical details. [... this book] is thus essential reading for those interested, whether or not they completely agree with Roberts.' Phillip Helbig, The Observatory



Book Information
ISBN 9781009123327
Author Bryan W. Roberts
Format Hardback
Page Count 200
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 630g
Dimensions(mm) 250mm * 176mm * 19mm