Article Title：Causality and the arrow of classical time
Abstract：
It is claimed that the 'problem of the arrow of time in classical dynamics' has been solved. Since all classical particles have a self-field (gravitational and in some cases also electromagnetic), their dynamics must include self-interaction. This fact and the observation that the domain of validity of classical physics is restricted to distances not less than of the order of a Compton wavelength (thus excluding point particles), leads to the conclusion that the fundamental classical equations of motion are not invariant under time reversal: retarded self-interactions lead to different equations than advanced ones. Since causality (the time order of cause and effect) requires retarded rather than advanced self-interaction, it is causality which is ultimately responsible for the arrow of time. Classical motions described by equations with advanced self-interactions differ from retarded ones and do not occur in nature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri;:hts reserved.
Keywords: causality; time's arrow; time reversal invariance; classical dynamics
DOI: 10.1016/S1355-2198(99)00030-1
Source：STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN PHYSICS
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