A Specimen of Theory Construction from Quantum Gravity

TL;DR

This paper discusses the author's historical efforts to develop a theory of quantum gravity, proposing that spacetime may fundamentally be a causal set with a discrete structure.

Contribution

It introduces the hypothesis that the fundamental structure of spacetime is a causal set, offering a novel approach to quantum gravity theory construction.

Findings

Proposes spacetime as a causal set with a partial order

Suggests a discrete substratum underlying spacetime

Provides a historical perspective on theory development

Abstract

I describe the history of my attempts to arrive at a discrete substratum underlying the spacetime manifold, culminating in the hypothesis that the basic structure has the form of a partial-order (i.e. that it is a causal set).