# Time Ordering and Causality in General Relativity

The time-ordering of two space-like separated events is undefined in special relativity. Is there an analogous concept in GR?

Yes. For us to assign a time-value to every point, we need to define a time function $$t$$ on our spacetime (this is possible if the spacetime is stably causal). This is a function $$t : M \to \mathbb{R}$$ such that $$t$$ is strictly increasing along every future-directed geodesics.
Once we have a time function, we can define a timelike time coordinate out of it, with the timelike vector defined by $$\nabla t$$. From the properties of the time function, it does define an order for causally-separated points. ie, if $$p$$ and $$q$$ are two points, and there exists a causal curve between $$p$$ and $$q$$, then either $$t(p) < t(q)$$ or $$t(q) < t(p)$$. This property is independent of the time function we defined, as it is not unique.
On the other hand, the same is not true if the two points are not causally-separated. It's not too hard to show this, at least locally. Take a convex normal neighbourhood $$U$$ around $$p$$. The tangent space $$T_p M$$ has the same structure as special relativity, and also mapping the time coordinate of $$T_p M$$ to $$M$$ defines a time function on $$M$$ (ie if your vector $$v = (v_t, \vec{v}) \in T_p M$$ has time coordinate $$v_t$$, and $$\exp_p(v) = q$$, then define the time function is $$t(q) = \langle (\exp_p^{-1}(q)), e_t \rangle$$).
• The basis is the basis of the tangent space, ie $\mathrm{Span}(e_i) = T_pM$. As per usual in a Lorentz vector space, a boost applied to a timelike vector will remain a timelike vector, but this will cause an inversion on the order of some spacelike-related events (cf. Tolman) – Slereah Feb 18 at 12:32
• Yes, it's easy to see by looking at a Lorentz transform diagram : i.stack.imgur.com/5NiiK.gif An increasing spacelike line below the line $x'$ would be increasing with respect to the original coordinates (ie $t$ would increase), but would be decreasing with respect to the new coordinates ($t'$ decreases) – Slereah Feb 18 at 12:47