Abstract

The quantization of gravity represents an important attempt at reconciling the two seemingly incompatible frameworks that lie at the base of modern physics, quantum theory and general relativity. The dissertation begins by looking at the incompatibilities between the two frameworks. The incompatibility with quantum theory, it is argued, is rooted in the profound differences between general relativity and ordinary field theories. The dissertation goes on to look at how, in practice, these incongruities are treated in the canonical quantization program, and argues that their treatment is such that it is unlikely to lead to a satisfactory physical theory. The dissertation concludes by arguing that quantum theory only makes sense when embedded in a classical theory. Thus the reconciliation of quantum theory and general relativity suggests that we look outside the bounds of ordinary quantum theory for the proper theoretical framework