On Minkowskian Branching Structures

TL;DR

This paper introduces Minkowskian Branching Structures (MBS), a class of models within Branching Space-Times where histories resemble Minkowski space-time, aiming to better analyze physical phenomena and address debates on the physical plausibility of branching.

Contribution

It defines Minkowskian Branching Structures (MBS), a novel class of BST models with histories isomorphic to Minkowski space-time, enhancing the connection between BST and relativity.

Findings

MBS models have histories isomorphic to Minkowski space-time.

MBS provides a framework for analyzing physical phenomena within BST.

Sets the stage for discussions on the physical plausibility of branching.

Abstract

Contrary to its initial idea, Belnap's (1992) theory of Branching Space-Times (BST) has models in which histories do not resemble relativistic space-times or any other physical space-times. The aim of this paper is to define a certain class of BST models, called "Minkowskian Branching Structures" (MBS), in which histories are isomorphic to Minkowski space-time. By focusing on these models rather than on general BST models, we hope that one may be able to improve on earlier BST analyzes of physical phenomena. Also, introducing MBS' sets the stage for recent discussions about whether or not `branching is a bad idea', physically speaking.