The Speed of Light Is the Limit of Physical Quantities, Not the Limit of Spacetime Quantities——A Hierarchical Reclassification of Quantum Entanglement and Cosmic Expansion
This paper advances the core thesis that the speed of light is the limit of physical quantities, not the limit of spacetime quantities. The "superluminal" correlations of quantum entanglement and the "superluminal" recession of distant galaxies in cosmic expansion are not violations of relativity, but rather because these two phenomena belong to the category of spacetime quantities and fall outside the jurisdiction of the speed of light. Through the methodology of "hierarchical reclassification," this paper separates physical quantities (matter, energy, signals, causal chains) from spacetime quantities (spacetime structure, expansion, connectivity, topological relations), pointing out that the definition of velocity (m/s) presupposes "matter moving through space"; when the object of discussion is spacetime itself, the concept of "velocity" no longer applies. This paper further clarifies that there is no fundamental contradiction between relativity and quantum mechanics requiring "unification"—they describe effective laws at different levels (the L4 physical level and the L1–L2 quantum level). The "superluminal paradox" that has long troubled physics is, in essence, a result of category misplacement.
This paper advances the core thesis that the speed of light is the limit of physical quantities, not the limit of spacetime quantities. The "superluminal" correlations of quantum entanglement and the "superluminal" recession of distant galaxies in cosmic expansion are not violations of relativity, but rather because these two phenomena belong to the category of spacetime quantities and fall outside the jurisdiction of the speed of light. Through the methodology of "hierarchical reclassification," this paper separates physical quantities (matter, energy, signals, causal chains) from spacetime quantities (spacetime structure, expansion, connectivity, topological relations), pointing out that the definition of velocity (m/s) presupposes "matter moving through space"; when the object of discussion is spacetime itself, the concept of "velocity" no longer applies. This paper further clarifies that there is no fundamental contradiction between relativity and quantum mechanics requiring "unification"—they describe effective laws at different levels (the L4 physical level and the L1–L2 quantum level). The "superluminal paradox" that has long troubled physics is, in essence, a result of category misplacement.
This preprint clarifies a persistent category error in the interpretation of quantum mechanics and relativity by explicitly distinguishing propagation from correlation. Relativistic constraints, including the finite speed of light, apply to the transmission of energy, matter, and information through spacetime. Quantum mechanics, by contrast, permits nonlocal correlations between entangled systems that do not involve transmission, motion, or signal propagation. The apparent instantaneity of quantum effects therefore reflects the revelation of pre-existing correlation structure rather than superluminal dynamics. By maintaining this separation, the preprint shows that the finite speed of light and quantum nonlocality are not in conflict. Light is limited in speed because it propagates; quantum correlations have no speed because nothing propagates. This framing resolves common misconceptions surrounding entanglement, nonlocality, and causality without introducing hidden structures, preferred frames, or violations of relativistic invariance. The work is intended as a conceptual clarification and falsifiable interpretive framework, not a modification of quantum theory or relativity. Keywords quantum correlation nonlocality entanglement speed of light relativity causality non-signaling propagation vs correlation foundations of quantum mechanics conceptual clarification
Two statements in physics are frequently conflated: that nothing can travel faster than light, and that two entangled particles behave as if "instantaneously" connected regardless of their separation. This paper addresses both questions together: whether a faster-than-light particle could exist and, if so, whether it would count as matter; and whether quantum entanglement actually violates the light-speed limit. Starting from the energy–velocity relation of special relativity, it is shown that massive particles cannot reach the speed of light, and the properties of hypothetical tachyons (imaginary mass, absence of a rest frame and violation of causality) are examined. Using the singlet state, the non-separability, reduced state and correlation properties of entanglement are derived, and the quantum violation of the CHSH inequality up to 2√2 is computed. Finally, via the no-signaling theorem, it is shown that entanglement produces non-local correlations without permitting superluminal communication. In conclusion, nature accommodates non-local correlations without allowing any object to travel faster than light.
This paper proposes an ontological framework that resolves the apparent paradox of quantum entanglement without invoking faster-than-light signaling or violating the principle of locality in special relativity. The solution rests on a strict ontological separation between two levels of reality: (1) an existential level governed by a single, absolute, non-spatial existential time τ, where quantum information resides in unified superposed states; and (2) a cosmic level consisting of ordinary relativistic spacetime, where material systems are spatially separated and causality is preserved. Under this framework, entanglement represents a dual-layer phenomenon: existential–informational unity at the level of being, combined with cosmic–material separation at the level of appearance. Quantum correlations are thus explained not as superluminal influence, but as the manifestation in spacetime of a pre-unified informational structure in existential time. The framework preserves all mathematical formalism of standard quantum mechanics, remains fully consistent with special and general relativity, and offers a deep ontological grounding for the foundations of quantum theory
Copernicus broke with 1300 years of tradition, and revolutionized science by moving from earth-centric to sun-centric view. But, moving the viewpoint to the center of our expanding universe explains the origin and true nature of time itself. From this God’s view, Relativity and Quantum Mechanics are two sides of the same coin. Relativity is inside the light cone phenomena (since nothing can travel faster than light), while Quantum Mechanics is outside the light cone phenomena (allowing instant communications in quantum entanglement experiments). This recent paper [Quantum principle of relativity; Andrzej Dragan, Artur Ekert, New. J. Phys. 22 (2020) 033098] has shown that every exotic Quantum effect like superposition, entanglement, probabilistic behavior, multiple paths etc. can be explained just by allowing superluminal possibility. The inside the light cone phenomena and the outside the light cone phenomena together span the entire region within the space and time axes. Only in unison they complete the entire picture. Both are dictated just by the scale (i.e. whether we use classical/human scale or sub-atomic scale). We failed to realize that the same spacetime is getting split into space like and time like regions based on size scale. And the reason behind this is not the magical (?) speed of light. That would have turned both relativity and quantum mechanics into mere branches of electromagnetism. The true reason is much deeper and at a very fundamental level of our universe. It turns out that the c is the radial expansion velocity of our universe. But why does the transition from Relativity to Quantum Mechanics happens with decreasing size scale? That’s because, this is what is happens to spatial and temporal dimensions at different scales: 3+1 (Classical regime) <=> 2+2 (Compton regime) <=> 1+3 (Planck regime). From the center of universe viewpoint, simultaneity is absolute (as demanded by Sagnac effect), and there is indeed absolute universal time (as demanded by quantum mechanics). From our viewpoint (located at an awkward position in the universe), locality is absolute, and velocity c is the upper limit, and remains constant for every observer. This turns (our) space and time into inseparable twins, and makes (our) time a relative concept. This solves the time problem which had so stubbornly resisted the reconciliation of Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity. General Relativity makes things a bit tricky since it involves curvature (warping) of spacetime, but it does not become incompatible with Quantum Mechanics. The only difference between the warped spacetime of General Relativity, and the flat spacetime of Special Relativity is very similar to the difference between a stretched rubber membrane, with and without a metal ball placed on it. General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics are the two pillars of modern Science. Reconciliation of the two greatest theories of physics leads us to Theory of Everything.
This paper proposes an ontological framework that resolves the apparent paradox of quantum entanglement without invoking faster-than-light signaling or violating the principle of locality in special relativity. The solution rests on a strict ontological separation between two levels of reality: (1) an existential level governed by a single, absolute, non-spatial existential time τ, where quantum information resides in unified superposed states; and (2) a cosmic level consisting of ordinary relativistic spacetime, where material systems are spatially separated and causality is preserved. Under this framework, entanglement represents a dual-layer phenomenon: existential–informational unity at the level of being, combined with cosmic–material separation at the level of appearance. Quantum correlations are thus explained not as superluminal influence, but as the manifestation in spacetime of a pre-unified informational structure in existential time. The framework preserves all mathematical formalism of standard quantum mechanics, remains fully consistent with special and general relativity, and offers a deep ontological grounding for the foundations of quantum theory.
Copernicus broke with 1300 years of tradition, and revolutionized science by moving from earth-centric to sun-centric view. But, moving the viewpoint to the center of our expanding universe explains the origin and true nature of time itself. From this God’s view, Relativity and Quantum Mechanics are two sides of the same coin. Relativity is inside the light cone phenomena (since nothing can travel faster than light), while Quantum Mechanics is outside the light cone phenomena (allowing instant communications in quantum entanglement experiments). This recent paper [Quantum principle of relativity; Andrzej Dragan, Artur Ekert, New. J. Phys. 22 (2020) 033098] has shown that every exotic Quantum effect like superposition, entanglement, probabilistic behavior, multiple paths etc. can be explained just by allowing superluminal possibility. The inside the light cone phenomena and the outside the light cone phenomena together span the entire region within the space and time axes. Only in unison they complete the entire picture. Both are dictated just by the scale (i.e. whether we use classical/human scale or sub-atomic scale). We failed to realize that the same spacetime is getting split into space like and time like regions based on size scale. And the reason behind this is not the magical (?) speed of light. That would have turned both relativity and quantum mechanics into mere branches of electromagnetism. The true reason is much deeper and at a very fundamental level of our universe. It turns out that the c is the radial expansion velocity of our universe. But why does the transition from Relativity to Quantum Mechanics happens with decreasing size scale? That’s because, this is what is happens to spatial and temporal dimensions at different scales: 3+1 (Classical regime) <=> 2+2 (Compton regime) <=> 1+3 (Planck regime). From the center of universe viewpoint, simultaneity is absolute (as demanded by Sagnac effect), and there is indeed absolute universal time (as demanded by quantum mechanics). From our viewpoint (located at an awkward position in the universe), locality is absolute, and velocity c is the upper limit, and remains constant for every observer. This turns (our) space and time into inseparable twins, and makes (our) time a relative concept. This solves the time problem which had so stubbornly resisted the reconciliation of Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity. General Relativity makes things a bit tricky since it involves curvature (warping) of spacetime, but it does not become incompatible with Quantum Mechanics. The only difference between the warped spacetime of General Relativity, and the flat spacetime of Special Relativity is very similar to the difference between a stretched rubber membrane, with and without a metal ball placed on it. General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics are the two pillars of modern Science. Reconciliation of the two greatest theories of physics leads us to Theory of Everything.