Can Time Travel Really Avoid Violating Causality?

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The discussion centers on the implications of time travel on causality, questioning whether traveling backward in time inherently violates causal principles. Quantum Field Theory suggests that no violation occurs, as particles appearing to travel backward in time are part of a symmetry in interactions that cancels out probabilities. Closed timelike curves (CTCs) are debated, with some arguing they could lead to causality violations, while others believe future theories of quantum gravity may rule them out. The concept of time is also explored philosophically, questioning its nature and existence. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the complexity of time travel and its relationship with established physical laws.
  • #61
JesseM said:
Are you pulling my leg? I said a few times you don't necessarily have to consider them "real" at all...

No i was being serious,i was reading that virtual particles in fact travel faster than light and backwards in time but don't violate causality,but i can't seem to wrap my head around this one.
 
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  • #62
byron178 said:
No i was being serious,i was reading that virtual particles in fact travel faster than light and backwards in time but don't violate causality,but i can't seem to wrap my head around this one.
If you don't consider them real, but just a mathematical tool for making calculations about observable effects, why is this a problem? No actual measured effects go FTL or backwards in time.
 

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