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Mathematical
Physics Cannot, in Principle, Explain the Arrow of Time
One of the most important observations of the natural world is that
there is an Arrow of Time (i.e. time has a direction). We can
remember the past, but not the future. We can affect events in the
future, but not in the past. However, the mathematical equations
representing the physical laws of nature do not have an Arrow of
Time. They are equally valid in forward or backward time. One of the
great mysteries of science is why the mathematical laws of nature do
not have an Arrow of Time.
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The reason for the mystery is that mathematical physics uses mathematical time, not real time. In the process of transforming real time to mathematical time, the
Arrow of Time is lost. Mathematical time breaks real time up into instants of time. Each instant of time represents a possible measurement of time. Whereas real time is moving, each instant of time is unmoving.
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Since each instant of time is a time-symmetric point without a direction, so mathematical time is a collection of time-symmetric points without a direction. As such, whereas real time has a
direction, mathematical time does not. Since mathematical physics uses mathematical time not real time, it cannot, in principle, explain the
Arrow of Time.
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