The arrow of time refers to the curious asymmetry that distinguishes the future from the past. Reversing the Arrow of Time argues that there is an intimate link between the symmetries of 'time itself' and time reversal symmetry in physical theories, which has wide-ranging implications for both physics and its philosophy. This link helps to clarify how we can learn about the symmetries of our world; how to understand the relationship between symmetries and what is real, and how to overcome pervasive illusions about the direction of time. Roberts explains the significance of time reversal in a way that intertwines physics and philosophy, to establish what the arrow of time means and how we can come to know it. This book is both mathematically and philosophically rigorous yet remains accessible to advanced undergraduates in physics and philosophy of physics. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

‘… the book is complementary to many discussions about (real or imagined) arrows of time in physics, and is clearly written despite the philosophical and mathematical details. [… this book] is thus essential reading for those interested, whether or not they completely agree with Roberts.’

Phillip Helbig Source: The Observatory

‘[T]his book mines the rich but underexploited seam of natural philosophical ideas that deepen our understanding of the structure of physical theory in a manner valuable to philosophers and physicists alike. Much of the book is highly formal, but the philosophical and scientific value of what is done are difficult to overstate.’

Karim P. Y. Thébault Source: Metascience