The basic mathematical assumptions for autonomous linear kinetic equations
for a classical system are formulated, leading to the conclusion that if they
are differential equations on its phase space M, they are at most of the 2nd
order. For open systems interacting with a bath at canonical equilibrium they
have a particular form of an equation of a generalized Fokker-Planck type. We
show that it is possible to obtain them as Liouville equations of Hamiltonian
dynamics on M with a particular non-commutative differential structure,
provided certain geometric in character, conditions are fulfilled. To this end,
symplectic geometry on M is developped in this context, and an outline of the
required tensor analysis and differential geometry is given. Certain questions
for the possible mathematical interpretation of this structure are also
discussed.Comment: 22 pages, LaTe