Abstract: It is often believed that loop quantum gravity and other forms of quantum gravitational theories face a problem of empirical (in) coherence because of the disappearance of fundamental spacetime at the quantum gravitational level. The standard solution to this problem is to find a way to account for spacetime emergence. This article argues that loop quantum gravity, in its covariant or Rovellian form, does not have a problem of empirical (in) coherence because the theory purports a process ontology rather than a substance ontology. Process ontology is an empirically coherent concept. The problem of empirical (in) coherence and the spacetime emergence claim are separated theses, even though they are closely related.

Key Words: Spacetime; Quantum gravity; Ontology; Spacetime emergence

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