Müller, Thomas (2013) A generalized manifold topology for branching space-times. In: [2012] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 23rd Biennial Mtg (San Diego, CA) > PSA 2012 Contributed Papers.
Abstract
The logical theory of branching space-times (Belnap, Synthese 1992), which provides a relativistic framework for studying objective indeterminism, remains mostly disconnected from the discussion of space-time theories in the philosophy of physics. Earman has criticized the branching approach and suggested ``pruning some branches from branching space-time'' (2008). This paper identifies the different---order-theoretic vs. topological---points of view of both discussions as a reason for certain misunderstandings, and tries to remove them. Most importantly, we give a novel, topological criterion of modal consistency that usefully generalizes an earlier criterion, and we introduce a differential-geometrical version of branching space-times as a non- Hausdorff (generalized) manifold.
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