Is Time Travel the Key to Understanding Determinism and the Future?

In summary, the conversation discussed the concept of time travel to the future and whether it would mean that all actions and reactions were predetermined. It was also mentioned that time travel would require the traveler to be outside of time-space in order to not influence the future. The idea of determinism was brought up but it was not seen as a necessary implication of time travel.
  • #1
Solar Eclipse
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If you could travel to the future wouldn't that mean that the outcome of every action and the resulting reaction were already determined? I know that we are constantly moving to the future, but I am talking about a situation similar to back to the future except he doesn't go back in time again.
please be nice.
 
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  • #2
Yes it would definitely mean that.
The future is an accumulation of the past, and time travel to the future implies that the traveler travels outside of time space, where he is not influencing the future just by merely traveling there.

Otherwise it would mean that he is not traveling into the future, but rather traveling elsewhere, where he has influenced time in such a way that the travel accumulated into the future, which is no different from just normally living your life into the future like everyone is doing.
 
  • #3
I don't see why time travel would imply determinism.
 
  • #4
russ_watters said:
I don't see why time travel would imply determinism.

OK.. Maybe you can expand on that?
 

1. What is determinism and how does it relate to the future?

Determinism is the philosophical idea that all events are ultimately determined by previous causes. In the context of the future, determinism suggests that all future events are predetermined by the past and present conditions and choices. This means that the future is not random or based on free will, but rather a result of cause and effect.

2. Does determinism mean that we have no control over our future?

Not necessarily. While determinism suggests that our future is predetermined, it does not necessarily mean that we have no control over our actions and choices. We may still have the illusion of free will and the ability to make decisions, even if those decisions are influenced by past events and conditions.

3. How does determinism impact the concept of moral responsibility?

Determinism can challenge the idea of moral responsibility, as it suggests that our actions and choices are determined by factors beyond our control. This raises questions about whether individuals can truly be held accountable for their actions, or if they are simply the result of predetermined causes.

4. Can determinism coexist with the concept of a multiverse?

Yes, determinism can coexist with the concept of a multiverse. In a multiverse, it is believed that there are infinite parallel universes with different versions of reality. In this context, determinism suggests that each of these universes is predetermined and follows a specific set of causes and effects, but there may still be variations and differences between each universe.

5. Is there evidence to support determinism?

The concept of determinism is still highly debated and has not been proven or disproven. Some argue that there is evidence in quantum mechanics, chaos theory, and other scientific fields that suggest determinism is at play in the universe. However, others argue that the complexity of human behavior and decision-making may contradict determinism. Ultimately, the answer to this question may never be fully resolved.

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