An operational approach to quantum mechanics has been developed in the past decades in our group in Brussels. A similar approach is taken in this work, making use of the extra operational depth offered by this approach, to show that the construction of spacetime is specific to each observer. What is usually referred to as the block universe then emerges by noting that parts of the past and future are also contained in the present, but without the limitations that a four-dimensional block universe usually implies, of a reality in which change would be impossible. In our operational approach, reality remains dynamic, with free choice playing a central role in its conceptualization. We also show that, when operationally analyzed, the theory implies that objects move not only in space, but also and especially in time, and more generally in spacetime, with their rest mass being a measure of their kinetic time energy. We therefore claim that Einstein’s relativity revolution has not been fully realized, since most physicists are not ready to accept these consequences of the theory although the formula’s showing them, when operationally analyzed, are in every relativity textbook. In particular, when relativistic motion is revisited as a genuine four-dimensional motion, it becomes possible to reinterpret the parameter c associated with the coordinate speed of light, which becomes the magnitude of the four-velocity of all material entities. We observe that this four-dimensional motion in Minkowski space can also be better understood if placed in the broader perspective of quantum mechanics, provided that non-locality is interpreted as non-spatiality, thus indicating the existence of an underlying non-spatial reality, the nature of which could be conceptual, consistent with the conceptuality interpretation of quantum mechanics. This hypothesis is reinforced by noting that when observers, or experiencers, as they will be referred to in this article, are described by acknowledging their cognitive nature of entities moving in a semantic space, Minkowski metric emerges in a natural way.

Diederik Aerts

Massimiliano Sassoli de Bianchi

THEORIA An International Journal for Theory History and Foundations of Science

Since its foundation in 1935, Theoria publishes research in all areas of philosophy. Theoria is committed to precision and clarity in philosophical discussions, and encourages cooperation between philosophy and other disciplines. The journal is not affiliated with any particular school or faction. Instead, it promotes dialogues between different philosophical viewpoints. Theoria is peer-reviewed. It publishes articles, reviews, and shorter notes and discussions. Short discussion notes on recent articles in Theoria are welcome.

Since its establishment in 1935, Theoria (Spain) has been dedicated to research in all areas of philosophy. The journal emphasizes precision and clarity in philosophical discussions and encourages collaboration between philosophy and other disciplines. Theoria is not affiliated with any particular school or faction; instead, it fosters dialogue between different philosophical viewpoints. The journal is peer-reviewed and publishes articles, reviews, and shorter notes and discussions. Short discussion notes on recent articles in Theoria are welcome.

《Theoria（西班牙）》自1935年创刊以来，致力于哲学各领域的研究。该期刊强调哲学讨论的精确性和清晰性，鼓励哲学与其他学科之间的合作。《Theoria》不隶属于任何特定的学派或派系，而是促进不同哲学观点之间的对话。该期刊经过同行评审，发表文章、书评以及简短的笔记和讨论。欢迎对《Theoria》近期文章的简短讨论笔记。

Category	Quartile
哲学	4
哲学, 科学史与科学哲学	4

A quantum mechanical analysis of time and motion in relativity theory

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE	2