What becomes of a causal set

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of 'becoming' in causal set theory, revealing new forms of global and objective becoming that challenge traditional localized notions and parallel debates in relativity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, global, and objective notion of becoming compatible with causal set theory, expanding the philosophical implications of the framework.

Findings

Stein's theorem analogue does not hold in causal set theory

A new form of global, objective becoming is compatible with causal sets

The debate on becoming in causal sets parallels that in relativity

Abstract

Unlike the relativity theory it seeks to replace, causal set theory has been interpreted to leave space for a substantive, though perhaps 'localized', form of 'becoming'. The possibility of fundamental becoming is nourished by the fact that the analogue of Stein's theorem from special relativity does not hold in causal set theory. Despite this, we find that in many ways, the debate concerning becoming parallels the well-rehearsed lines it follows in the domain of relativity. We present, however, some new twists and challenges. In particular, we show that a novel and exotic notion of becoming is compatible with causal sets. In contrast to the 'localized' becoming considered compatible with the dynamics of causal set theory by its advocates, our novel kind of becoming, while not answering to the typical A-theoretic demands, is 'global' and objective.