Further detail of time and temporal relationalism in quantum theory

This chapter builds upon Chap. 5 and 12 ’s accounts of time in ordinary and whole-universe quantum theory respectively. Whole-universe canonical quantum wave equations exhibit the frozen formalism facet of the Problem of Time. We argued in Part I that this rests on a type of Background Independence called Temporal Relationalism, which is already present at the classical level in whole-universe models. In Part II, we then reformulated whole-universe classical physics in Temporal Relationalism implementing terms. Obtaining and staying within this framework removes a first subset of the notorious interferences between Problem of Time facets. To continue with this strategy at the quantum level in Part III, we need to reformulate each part of quantum theory that we use in Temporal Relationalism implementing terms as well. This chapter provides the first instalment of this: Temporal Relationalism implementing canonical quantum theory. We also initiate discussion of the intriguing question of whether formulating physics in Background-Independent relational terms, rather than absolute terms, alters what quantum theory itself consists of.