Spacetime Relationalism in GR and QG

Abstract

We provide here a philosophical basis for [arXiv:2012.03994, arXiv:2107.06693] based on the notion of spacetime relationalism. We argue that the view which is more cleanly compatible with GR is that in which the spacetime manifold is a relational (or 'emergent') property of the aggregate or physical sum of gravitational field portions, field that is considered material and for which spacetime geometry (in the sense of the metric properties) is one of its material properties. All of the previous philosophical notions are defined in relation to a clear ontology of material individuals, briefly described in the appendix. Furthermore, this fits well with the phase space of GR, thing that also may inform how to proceed in the quantum realm.