Time evolution in the presence of gravity

Abstract

We present a suggestion on the interpretation of canonical time evolution when gravitation is present, based on the nonlinear gauge approach to gravity. Essentially, our proposal consists of an internal-time concept, with the time variable taken from the dynamical fields characteristic of the nonlinear realization of the internal time-translational symmetry. Physical time evolution requires the latter symmetry to be broken. After disregarding other breaking mechanisms, we appeal to the Jordan-Brans-Dicke action, conveniently interpreted, to achieve that goal. We show that nontrivial time evolution follows, the special relativistic limit being recovered in the absence of gravity.