Finding Time for Wheeler-DeWitt Cosmology

TL;DR

This paper analyzes a quantum cosmological model based on the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, demonstrating how different levels of temporal structure can emerge consistently without an explicit time parameter.

Contribution

It provides a self-consistent account of the emergence of various temporal structures in a Wheeler-DeWitt quantum cosmological model, addressing approximation issues.

Findings

Model yields consistent emergence of temporal structures

Approximations are internally consistent

Residual concerns are explanatory, not technical

Abstract

We conduct a case study analysis of a proposal for the emergence of time based upon the approximate derivation of three grades of temporal structure within an explicit quantum cosmological model which obeys a Wheeler-DeWitt type equation without an extrinsic time parameter. Our main focus will be issues regarding the consistency of the approximations and derivations in question. Our conclusion is that the model provides a self-consistent account of the emergence of chronordinal, chronometric and chronodirected structure. Residual concerns relate to explanatory rather than consistency considerations.