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The Arrow of Time: From Universe Time-Asymmetry to Local Irreversible Processes

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Abstract

In several previous papers we have argued for a global and non-entropic approach to the problem of the arrow of time, according to which the “arrow” is only a metaphorical way of expressing the geometrical time-asymmetry of the universe. We have also shown that, under definite conditions, this global time-asymmetry can be transferred to local contexts as an energy flow that points to the same temporal direction all over the spacetime. The aim of this paper is to complete the global and non-entropic program by showing that our approach is able to account for irreversible local phenomena, which have been traditionally considered as the physical origin of the arrow of time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio, Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Matías Aiello

  2. CONICET—Instituto de Física de Rosario, Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Mario Castagnino

  3. CONICET—Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Olimpia Lombardi

Authors
  1. Matías Aiello
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  2. Mario Castagnino
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  3. Olimpia Lombardi
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Correspondence to Matías Aiello.

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Aiello, M., Castagnino, M. & Lombardi, O. The Arrow of Time: From Universe Time-Asymmetry to Local Irreversible Processes. Found Phys 38, 257–292 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-007-9202-0

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