Arrows of Time

The concept of time has fascinated humanity throughout recorded history, and it remains one of the biggest mysteries in science and philosophy. Time is clearly one of the fundamental building blocks of the universe and thus a deeper understanding of nature at a fundamental level also demands a comprehension of time. Furthermore, the origins of the universe are closely intertwined with the puzzle of time: Did time emerge at the Big Bang? Why does the arrow of time conspire with the order of the initial state of the universe?§This book addresses the two most important questions about time: (1) What is time, and is it fundamental or emergent? (2) Why is there such an arrow of time, closely related to the mystery of the initial state of the universe, and why do the cosmic and thermodynamic arrows agree?§These issues are discussed here by some of the brightest minds in the field, and each offers a new or different perspective on the debate. These views delve into the most difficult research topic in physics, also describing the latest cutting edge research on the subject. The book also offers readers a comparison between the different outlooks of philosophy and physics on the puzzle of time. §Although this book is intended to be useful for research purposes, most chapters are also accessible to a more general audience of scientifically educated readers looking for deeper insights.§