Relational Ontology and the Emergence of Spacetime Geometry

Building on our exploration of relational ontology and quantum measurement, we now turn to spacetime — the stage of physical phenomena in classical physics and general relativity. Traditional views conceive spacetime as a fixed, continuous manifold where events occur. However, reconciling this with quantum phenomena suggests spacetime itself may be an emergent construct arising from deeper relational dynamics.

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1. Spacetime as Coherence Pattern

In a relational framework:

• Spacetime geometry is not fundamental but arises as a coarse-grained, stable pattern of coherence within an underlying field of relational potential.

• The smooth metric structure emerges from persistent constraints and modulations that shape how coherence propagates across scales.

• Locality and causality are properties of these coherence patterns, not pre-existing absolutes.

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2. From Quantum Indeterminacy to Geometric Stability

• At quantum scales, constraint patterns are fluid and underdetermined, allowing superposition and entanglement.

• As constraints tighten at larger scales, relational dynamics stabilise, giving rise to the classical spacetime continuum.

• Thus, classical geometry and quantum behaviour represent different regimes of constraint modulation within the same relational substrate.

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3. Implications for Quantum Gravity

This perspective suggests that:

• Attempts to quantise gravity should focus less on discretising spacetime points and more on understanding how relational constraints organise and evolve.

• Gravitational phenomena may be manifestations of systemic coherence stabilising under topological and energetic constraints.

• Spacetime curvature reflects patterns of relational tension and flow, rather than a background stage.

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4. Connecting to Current Research

• Approaches such as causal set theory, loop quantum gravity, and holography can be reinterpreted as attempts to model emergent coherence patterns.

• Relational ontology provides a conceptual foundation clarifying why spacetime emerges, rather than assuming it as fundamental.

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Closing

Reframing spacetime as emergent from relational fields reshapes our understanding of gravity and geometry. It invites new questions: How do constraint patterns stabilise? What are the fundamental units of coherence? How do we detect and model transitions between quantum and classical regimes?

Next time, we will consider information as a relational phenomenon, bridging physical and conceptual domains.