General-Relativistic Covariance

Dewar, Neil (2020): General-Relativistic Covariance. In: Foundations of Physics, Vol. 50, No. 4: pp. 294-318

Abstract

This is an essay about general covariance, and what it says (or doesn't say) about spacetime structure. After outlining a version of the dynamical approach to spacetime theories, and how it struggles to deal with generally covariant theories, I argue that we should think about the symmetry structure of spacetime rather differently in generally-covariant theories compared to non-generally-covariant theories: namely, as a form of internal rather than external symmetry structure.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 100 Philosophy
• ISSN: 0015-9018
• Language: English