On the Emergent Character of the Light-Speed Limit in Relativistic Kinematics

The invariance of the speed of light in vacuum is a foundational element of special
relativity and a cornerstone of modern physics. While this principle has been confirmed
across a wide range of experiments, it remains of interest to examine whether the light-
speed limit constitutes a fundamental constraint or an emergent feature of relativistic
kinematics. In this work, we analyze the origin of the light-speed barrier within the rel-
ativistic energy–momentum framework and explore the possibility that this limit arises
from the specific form of the dispersion relation. We consider phenomenological modifi-
cations to high-energy kinematics that preserve causality, conserve energy–momentum,
and recover standard special relativity in the low-energy regime. Implications for wave–
particle duality are examined, and potential observational consequences are identified.