Is the Universe Deterministic?

In summary, the conversation is about a cross-posting of a thread from the Probability Forum to the Quantum Physics forum. The poster is seeking a physicist's perspective on a book called The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow. The #16 post is a condensed topic that can be easily understood and commented on without reading the entire thread or the book. The moderator and physicists are asked to reply in the linked thread and not in the cross-posted one. The conversation is now closed and anyone interested can follow the link to the referenced thread.
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benorin
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Note to the Quantum Physics moderator and physicists reading this: this is a cross-posting of a thread from the Probability Forum I'm just going to put a link to it here because I'd also like to get a physicist's perspective on the matter, the thread is about a book we are discussing but you needn't read all the previous posts nor the book to understand/participate in this discussion as the #16 post is an encapsulated topic I'm confident you can follow along. By the way, the Book is called The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow. Please reply in the linked thread and not in this cross-posted thread. Thanks.
 
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Closed... anyone interested should follow the link to the referenced thread.
 

1. Is the universe deterministic?

The answer to this question is still a matter of debate among scientists. Some believe that the universe operates according to predetermined laws and is therefore deterministic, while others argue that there is an element of randomness in the universe that makes it non-deterministic.

2. What evidence supports the idea of a deterministic universe?

One of the main pieces of evidence for a deterministic universe is the fact that physical laws and constants seem to be fixed and unchanging. This suggests that the universe is operating according to a predetermined plan.

3. Can the concept of free will coexist with a deterministic universe?

This is a difficult question to answer definitively. Some argue that free will is an illusion and that our actions are determined by the laws of the universe. Others believe that even in a deterministic universe, we still have the ability to make choices and exercise free will.

4. Are there any theories that attempt to reconcile determinism with randomness in the universe?

Yes, there are several theories that attempt to reconcile determinism with randomness, such as chaos theory and the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. These theories suggest that even though the universe may be deterministic overall, there are still elements of randomness and unpredictability at play.

5. How does the concept of determinism impact our understanding of cause and effect?

In a deterministic universe, cause and effect are seen as being directly linked and predictable. This means that if we know the initial conditions of a system, we can accurately predict its future state. However, some argue that the concept of determinism challenges our traditional understanding of cause and effect, as the idea of a predetermined plan may suggest that there is no true randomness or chance in the universe.

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