Muller, Thomas (2011) Branching space-times, general relativity, the Hausdorff property, and modal consistency. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The logical theory of branching space-times (BST; Belnap, Synthese 1992), which is intended to provide a framework for studying objective indeterminism, remains at a certain distance from the discussion of space-time theories in the philosophy of physics. In a welcome attempt to clarify the connection, Earman has recently found fault with the branching approach and suggested ``pruning some branches from branching space-time'' (2008).

The present note identifies the different---order theoretic vs. topological---points of view of both discussion 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 the order-theoretic criterion of directedness, and we introduce a differential-geometrical version of BST based on the theory of non-Hausdorff (generalized) manifolds.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Muller, Thomas Thomas.Mueller@phil.uu.nl
Keywords:	branching; indeterminism; general relativity
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Thomas Müller
Date Deposited:	21 Apr 2011 11:03
Last Modified:	21 Apr 2011 11:03
Item ID:	8577
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	20 April 2011
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8577

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