2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/34079In the canonical approach to general relativity it is customary to parametrize the phase space by initial data on spacelike hypersurfaces. However, if one seeks a theory dealing with observations that can be made by a single localized observer, it is natural to use a different description of the phase space. This results in a different set of Dirac observables from that appearing in the conventional formulation. It also suggests a possible solution to the problem of time, which has been one of the obstacles to the development of a satisfactory quantum theory of gravity.Latex,18 pages,no figuresGeneral Relativity and Quantum Cosmologytext