ON HOW THE (1-DIMENSIONAL DIRAC-EQUATION ARISES IN CLASSICAL PHYSICS(1))

We demonstrate how the (1 + 1)-dimensional Dirac equation can be deriv ed from the equation for the probability distribution governing a stoc hastic process when particles are permitted to propagate both backward s and forwards in time. This derivation uses a real transfer matrix an d does not require a formal analytic continuation from classical physi cs. The physical significance of the quantity we interpret as being th e ''wave function'' is discussed.