The Cosmological Origin of the Arrow of Time

The Big Question underlying this project is: what is the nature of time according to our best physical theories? In order to answer such a question, the project will start off from a global view on the arrow of time and then move to local contexts. The ultimate goal is two-fold: on the one hand, to elaborate a unified approach to the arrow of time that hinges essentially on geometrical properties of the universe as a whole; and, on the other, to articulate it with local time asymmetries. The strategic goal of our project is to actively promote the interdisciplinary dialog among physicists and philosophers in Latin America around deep philosophical issues on the temporal nature of our universe. The interdisciplinary compositions of our research group, gathering philosophers and physicists, will allow achieving our goals successfully. In order to disseminate our investigation, the project includes monthly research meetings, the organization of an international workshop, several open-public talks, the publication of academic papers in top-ranked journals, one academic book (in English) and a divulgation book in Spanish. The planned publications academic publications aim to strengthen links between our research group and the leading international community in philosophy of physics and philosophy of time. The book in Spanish aims to promote the reflection on the nature of time in physics and in philosophy among undergraduate students and a non-specialized public. The project will be leaded by a research group that in the last fifteen years has profusely promoted the interdisciplinary thinking of long-standing problems laying on borderlines between science and philosophy. Our achievements have been widely recognized by the international community of philosophers and scientists, as our publications, granted projects and international reputation testify. This is the best indicator of our group’s capacity to carry out the present project successfully.