Branching time

Branching time is a way to represent how the future can unfold differently from the present point in time. Imagine a timeline that starts at the present, and at each moment, there are multiple possible paths the future might take—like branches on a tree. Instead of one straight line, these branches show all the potential outcomes that could happen, allowing for multiple possible futures. This concept helps in understanding systems or scenarios where events might develop in various ways, such as in decision-making, computer programs, or philosophical discussions about free will.