Field Theoretic Aspects of Gravity From Direct Action to Quantum Fields

Abstract

One of the technical anchors of JVN's research was the "action-at-a-distance" view of gravitational interaction, driven by "Mach's Principle" addressing the origin of inertia. This view exorcises the concept of a field as a mediator of force between separated "particles". However, within a quantum framework, the concept of field as a mediator transcends to field as an autonomous physical entity. Beginning with a comparison between direct action view and field theoretic view in classical framework and moving over to quantum framework, I sketch the strides made in quantum field theory including the new features brought in by gravity. This is intended as a conceptual trace rather than a review.