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The elementary foundations of spacetime

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Abstract

This paper is an amalgam of physics and mathematical logic. It contains an elementary axiomatization of spacetime in terms of the primitive concepts of particle, signal, and transmission and reception. In the elementary language formed with these predicates we state AxiomsE, C, andU, which are naturally interpretable as basic physical properties of particles and signals. We then determine all mathematical models of this axiom system; these represent certain generalizations of the standard model. Also, the automorphism groups of the models are determined. Finally we give another physical model and discuss the philosophical implications.

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Supported by National Science Foundation under Grant No. MP575-09371.

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Ax, J. The elementary foundations of spacetime. Found Phys 8, 507–546 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00717578

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00717578

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