Constructor theory of time

TL;DR

This paper introduces a constructor-theoretic framework for understanding time, showing how laws that do not explicitly refer to time can still meaningfully describe duration and dynamics.

Contribution

It develops a novel approach to reconcile the absence of explicit time in constructor theory with the need to describe temporal concepts.

Findings

Laws in constructor theory avoid traditional time references.

Duration and dynamics are explained without explicit time parameters.

The framework maintains compatibility with conventional physical laws.

Abstract

Constructor theory asserts that the laws of physics are expressible as specifications of which transformations of physical systems can or cannot be brought about with unbounded accuracy by devices capable of operating in a cycle ('constructors'). Hence, in particular, such specifications cannot refer to time. Thus, laws expressed in constructor-theoretic form automatically avoid the anomalous properties of time in traditional formulations of fundamental theories. But that raises the problem of how they can nevertheless give meaning to duration and dynamics, and thereby be compatible with traditionally formulated laws. Here we show how.