Deflating the Spacetime-Matter Dichotomy

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Ferreiro, Antonio, Fleuren, Alex, Martens, Niels C. M.
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2025
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author Ferreiro, Antonio
Fleuren, Alex
Martens, Niels C. M.
author_facet Ferreiro, Antonio
Fleuren, Alex
Martens, Niels C. M.
contents In this paper we analyse scalar-tensor theories-specific instances of which include mainstream inflation and dark energy models-in light of the spacetime-matter dichotomy. We argue that it is difficult to categorise the scalar fields as either a pure aspect of the spacetime structure or a pure form of matter, by focusing on the Jordan vs Einstein frames of these theories. We present and evaluate various interpretational options available, concluding that the spacetime-matter dichotomy becomes untenable in this context. At the same time, the ontological and conceptual category of spacetime can be decoupled from that of gravity, with the latter remaining viable in the context of scalar-tensor theories.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_10775
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Deflating the Spacetime-Matter Dichotomy
Ferreiro, Antonio
Fleuren, Alex
Martens, Niels C. M.
History and Philosophy of Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
In this paper we analyse scalar-tensor theories-specific instances of which include mainstream inflation and dark energy models-in light of the spacetime-matter dichotomy. We argue that it is difficult to categorise the scalar fields as either a pure aspect of the spacetime structure or a pure form of matter, by focusing on the Jordan vs Einstein frames of these theories. We present and evaluate various interpretational options available, concluding that the spacetime-matter dichotomy becomes untenable in this context. At the same time, the ontological and conceptual category of spacetime can be decoupled from that of gravity, with the latter remaining viable in the context of scalar-tensor theories.
title Deflating the Spacetime-Matter Dichotomy
topic History and Philosophy of Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.10775