Quantum Gravity's Puzzling Link to a 100-Year-Old Japanese Philosophy

Physicists studying quantum gravity have encountered a puzzling problem with the nature of points in spacetime. At the tiniest scales, traditional ideas about space and location begin to break down, forcing researchers to rethink fundamental concepts. A new study by Fedele Lizzi and colleagues suggests a surprising link between this issue and an old philosophical idea from Japan. In quantum gravity, the behaviour of points resembles the notion of 'basho' described by philosopher Nishida Kitaro. This concept views a 'place' not as a fixed location but as a relational space shaped by its context and interactions. At the Planck scale, the very idea of a point may lose meaning, as traditional geometry fails to describe reality accurately.

Defining a point becomes especially difficult in systems with countless particles. Reality appears as a web of relationships rather than a collection of independent objects. Attempts to pinpoint exact locations in such spacetime lead to paradoxes, making precise localisation impossible.

Nishida’s philosophy rejects the idea of things existing independently. His 'basho' is a dynamic, interconnected place where existence depends on relationships. The parallels with quantum gravity are striking, as both frameworks describe a world where context and interaction define reality. Observation and measurement play a central role in both physics and Nishida’s thought, tying the nature of reality to the act of perceiving it. The study highlights a deep connection between modern physics and philosophy. Quantum gravity challenges the traditional view of spacetime, while Nishida’s 'basho' offers a way to understand reality as relational and fluid. This shared perspective may help physicists and philosophers alike grapple with the fundamental nature of existence.