David Wallace on the Arrow of Time: An Interview on Physics and Philosophy

In this interview, philosopher of physics David Wallace discusses the fundamental concept of the 'arrow of time,' which links everyday experiences like memory and causality to deep physical processes. The discussion focuses on the role of entropy, the increase of which in the universe determines the directionality of time. Wallace explains how specific initial conditions in the early universe make this process possible. Furthermore, the author of 'The Emergent Multiverse' analyzes the connection between thermodynamics and the Everettian many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. David Wallace, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a Lakatos Award winner, offers a profound perspective on how physics and philosophy intersect regarding the nature of time and reality. This interview is of interest to those studying the foundations of theoretical physics and the philosophical aspects of quantum theory.