On the emergence of the structure of physics

Abstract

We consider Hilbert’s problem of the axioms of physics at a qualitative or conceptual level. This is more pressing than ever as we seek to understand how both general relativity and quantum theory could emerge from some deeper theory of quantum gravity, and in this regard I have previously proposed a principle of self-duality or quantum Born reciprocity as a key structure. Here, I outline some of my recent work around the idea of quantum space–time as motivated by this non-standard philosophy, including a new toy model of gravity on a space–time consisting of four points forming a square. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Hilbert’s sixth problem’.