Definition
Causality is α-field connectivity. Event A can cause event B only if a χ-mode can propagate from A to B through the α-field.
Causes precede effects because signals take time to propagate.
The Speed Limit
The maximum propagation speed is c:
This isn't an arbitrary limit—it's the natural propagation speed of χ-modes in the α-field. Nothing outruns the α-field's own dynamics.
Light Cones
Light cones define causal structure:
- Future light cone: Events that A can influence
- Past light cone: Events that can influence A
- Spacelike: Events causally disconnected from A
Light cones are surfaces where $ds^2 = 0$—the boundary of α-field connectivity.
Why Causality Is Local
Causes affect nearby events before distant ones because χ-modes must propagate through intervening α-field:
Distant effects require intermediate propagation. No action at a distance.
Causality and Time
Causality creates time's direction:
- Causes precede effects (temporal ordering)
- Information flows forward (entropy increase)
- Memory records past (not future)
SCU perspective: Time IS the direction of χ-mode propagation through the α-field. Causality defines temporal ordering.
Entanglement and Causality
Entangled particles show instantaneous correlations. Does this violate causality?
No. Entanglement is α-fold topology—the particles share a connected χ-mode structure. The correlation exists because they're the same mode, not because signals travel faster than c.
No information transfers faster than light. Causality is preserved.
Retrocausality?
Can effects precede causes?
SCU answer: Not in the laminar/turbulent regimes. The α-field has a definite direction of propagation. Retrocausality would require χ-modes traveling backward through the α-field, which doesn't occur in normal dynamics.
Causality Breaking
Where might causality fail?
- Black hole interiors: α becomes imaginary; causal structure changes
- Very early universe: α-field not yet established
- Quantum gravity scale: Unknown α-dynamics
Standard physics respects causality. Extreme α-regimes may modify it.
Causal Networks
Complex systems have causal structure:
Multiple causal paths can lead to the same effect. SCU tracks χ-mode propagation through all paths.
The Key Insight
Causality is not an imposed rule. It's the structure of the α-field.
Causality IS α-field connectivity:
- Causes influence effects through χ-mode propagation
- Maximum speed c comes from α-field dynamics
- Light cones = boundaries of α-connectivity
- Entanglement preserves causality (shared topology, not FTL signals)
Events are causally connected if and only if χ-modes can propagate between them. That's all causality is.
The α-field determines what can influence what. Causality is not a law—it's the topology of time.