Discrete Causal Theory Emergent Spacetime and the Causal Metric Hypo
This book evaluates and suggests potentially critical improvements to causal set theory, one of the best-motivated approaches to the outstanding problems of fundamental physics. Spacetime structure is of central importance to physics beyond gene
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Discrete Causal Theory Emergent Spacetime and the Causal Metric Hypothesis
Discrete Causal Theory
Benjamin F. Dribus
Discrete Causal Theory Emergent Spacetime and the Causal Metric Hypothesis
123
Benjamin F. Dribus Department of Mathematics William Carey University Hattiesburg USA
ISBN 978-3-319-50081-2 DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-50083-6
ISBN 978-3-319-50083-6
(eBook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016958972 © Springer International Publishing AG 2017 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Preface
Three outstanding problems of modern physics are the following: 1. Description of fundamental spacetime structure. 2. Quantum-theoretic description of gravitation. 3. Unification of physical law. These problems are deeply intertwined. Since Einstein’s discovery of general relativity a century ago, gravity has been understood to be structural in nature, rather than a “force,” in the usual sense of the word, and it is therefore difficult to imagine the development of a successful approach to quantum gravity without simultaneous acquisition of a deeper structural understanding of spacetime. Quantum theory, meanwhile, though expressed and interpreted in a variety of different ways, is believed by most serious theorists to represent a fundamental aspect of nature; hence, any successful unification of physical law is expected to be quantum-theoretic. It seems, then, that two common ingredients necessary for the solution of these three problems are suitable structural notions, and a suitable approach to quantum theory. This book attempts to help identify and develop these two ingredients, with Part I devoted principally to structure, and Part II devoted principally to quantum theory. The most important aspects of the approach developed here may be summari
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