2021
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2108.07296
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A critical appraisal of the singularity theorems

José M. M. Senovilla

Abstract: The 2020 Nobel prize in Physics has revived the interest in the singularity theorems and, in particular, in the Penrose theorem published in 1965. In this short paper I briefly review the main ideas behind the theorems and then proceed to an evaluation of their hypotheses and implications. I will try to dispel some common misconceptions about the theorems and their conclusions, as well as to convey some of their rarely mentioned consequences. In particular, a discussion of spacetime extensions in relation to t… Show more

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Cited by 3 publications
(5 citation statements)
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“…For such a discussion we refer to [2,21,22]. A short but very compact and beautiful discussion regarding this theorem and the underlying assumptions has been reported recently by Senovilla [113]. Our main focus is on the subject of the convergence condition (equation (1.21), and more generally on the Focusing Condition (FC) (equation (1.22)) for the timelike case.…”
Section: Singularities and The Raychaudhuri Equationmentioning
confidence: 98%
“…For such a discussion we refer to [2,21,22]. A short but very compact and beautiful discussion regarding this theorem and the underlying assumptions has been reported recently by Senovilla [113]. Our main focus is on the subject of the convergence condition (equation (1.21), and more generally on the Focusing Condition (FC) (equation (1.22)) for the timelike case.…”
Section: Singularities and The Raychaudhuri Equationmentioning
confidence: 98%
“…43 It is the basis of various singularity theorems. 58,60,74,78,248 The theorems themselves do not establish the existence of physically relevant curvature singularites. 39,43 Moreover, a curvature singularity does not imply geodesic incompleteness.…”
Section: Acknowledgmentsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…43,58,78 The singularity theorems follow a generic pattern. 58,248 It is assumed that a spacetime of sufficient differentiability satisfies (i) a condition on the curvature; (ii) a causality condition; (iii) an appropriate initial and/or boundary condition. Then there are null or timelike inextensible incomplete geodesics.…”
Section: Acknowledgmentsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…To establish singularity theorems that demonstrate the geodesic incompleteness of spacetime, one requires concepts such as Cauchy and trapped surfaces or energy conditions [45,46] (see also the self-contained review [47]). An example of such theorems is:…”
Section: Mathematical Black Holesmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In a most compelling and convincing manner, Senovilla recently asserts in [45]: Sometimes the Penrose theorem is interpreted as definite proof that black holes form in gravitational collapse. This is incorrect and the actual fact is much more subtle.…”
Section: Mathematical Black Holesmentioning
confidence: 99%