DETERMINISM OR RANDOM? Pick a side

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the philosophical and scientific debate of determinism versus indeterminism in the context of physics, particularly quantum mechanics. Participants explore various viewpoints on whether events in the universe are predetermined or fundamentally random, touching on historical perspectives, interpretations of quantum mechanics, and implications for understanding reality.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that Einstein's belief in determinism contrasts with modern interpretations of quantum mechanics, which suggest indeterminism is a fundamental aspect.
  • One participant argues that the uncertainty principle does not imply randomness, suggesting that the underlying processes may still be deterministic despite our inability to measure them precisely.
  • Another viewpoint posits that both determinism and randomness are merely models, and the true nature of reality may not fit neatly into either category.
  • Some participants emphasize the necessity of choosing a side in the debate, arguing that events must either happen for a reason or be random.
  • A later reply challenges the notion of picking sides, stating that scientific understanding is based on collaborative effort and empirical evidence rather than authority.
  • Concerns are raised about the complexity of quantum phenomena and the limitations of current understanding, suggesting that neither determinism nor indeterminism can be definitively ruled out.
  • One participant references a specific paper proposing a deterministic interpretation of quantum mechanics, indicating ongoing exploration of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus reached on whether determinism or indeterminism is correct. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the historical context of the debate, mentioning Einstein's opposition to quantum mechanics and the evolution of scientific understanding over decades. There are references to the complexity of quantum interactions and the challenges in interpreting them, highlighting the limitations of current knowledge.

  • #31
Ken g You act as if there is no logical evidence toward determinism? that it is simply a belief in the only other thing that's left when you disregard indeterminacy.

Think simply. Think like anyone with logic can do. When much smaller constituents create a much larger thing, and this much larger thing contains hundreds of imitations, patterns, laws and even beings that can think themselves. The only conclusion is that the constituents were arranged.

For indeterminacy to be correct, it would mean that if we were to go back to whenever. and replicate what was there EXACTLY, in every minute detail, that it would turn out DIFFERENTLY then it is now. That makes as little sense as 1+1=3. So don't say maths told you its indeterminacy, you are the ones that did the maths and got confused SOMEWHERE.

I mean right now they need a quantum gravity theory or the things they know don't even make sense. Physicists do not know as much as they pretend too. Accounts for why they always seem to be wrong, right?

For quantum indeterminacy to be final, it would mean that two 100% identical twins in 100% identical situations and environments, would turn out differently. Even tho we already know we are only a product of our environments.

Its staring you right in the face.

Do you disagree with the following statement in any way?

If every variable in a closed system is known. Then there are no unknown variables in this closed system.

For indeterminacy to be correct, it would mean that even with every single possible variable 100% understood, the system would act differently than intended. You would ask, what variable made it act differently? as common sense says. But your answer would be, "no variable, it just acted differently cause".

You say determinism is the silly one that sounds like we believe in some silly higher power.

When really indeterminacy is so silly it believes in this mythical higher power which effects things in unknown unpredictable ways, even tho its actually not effecting them because it isn't in the equation! it aint a variable! it aint a number! it just does it! And there is no way to explain it!

Determinism is the only thing that makes sense.

Have you ever heard the phrase science without religion is lame? You guys are lame. ( And by religion, i don't mean the church, temple or mosque kind.)


Think about this, when Newton's laws of motion were introduced, i can bet there were hundreds of mathematical equations built off of these laws. This maths would have branched in a direction, based on the fundamental laws that it was based. And now we know Newton didn't know all that much. That these hundreds of mathematical equations were built off laws which weren't accurate!

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY ARE WRONG NOW?


" you want to maintain that the universe is truly deterministic, you can always do that-- you could have done it in Aristotle's day, in Newton's, in Einstein's, and in the year 2450,"


Cant you see that the theory that always holds is usually the correct one?!
 
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  • #32
Drakkith

I am convinced that order of our scale could never truly come out of chaos. It makes much more sense that it is misunderstood chaos.

Also, proof of a narrow minded way of thinking

Theory 1

Theory 2 must either refute theory 1 or include it in theory 2

Theory 3 must either refute theory 2 and 1, or include 2 and hence one

etc

Can't you see that when people try to build off a way of thinking for such a long time, that it will always go wrong somewhere?

Think about how hard it would be to present a theory today that opposed some basic aspects of quantum mechanics.

As soon as the opposition becomes "highly unlikely" in the minds of the opposed, narrow mindedness is present.
 
  • #33
maverick_starstrider said:
P.S. Also, an FYI, in general people who present popular science AREN'T actually particularly noteworthy physicist, the theories that Michio Kaku describes to you aren't HIS theories and he's not like the leader of the people who push these frontiers, rather the people who push these frontiers think very little of such a person since the public ends up perceiving them as *great* physicists because they spend LESS time actually doing physics and MORE time doing things like TV spots and radio interviews

jfarhat747 said:
( and on a side note, don't worry i know michio kaku is obviously just trying to gain fame)

This is correct for many pop-sci presenters, but be careful with generalisations because it is not correct for Kaku and Greene.

Kaku has made many contributions in the development of string theory. Check out his publication list, starting in 1974:

http://inspirehep.net/search?ln=en&ln=en&p=find+a+kaku&of=hb&action_search=Search&sf=&so=d&rm=&rg=100&sc=0

Brian Greene has also made respectable contributions. Obviously they have changed their focus after many years of hardcore research, but their qualifications are undeniable. Still, I agree that even they often over-estimate the importance of speculative/hypothetical theories.
 
  • #34
jfarhat747 said:
Drakkith

I am convinced that order of our scale could never truly come out of chaos. It makes much more sense that it is misunderstood chaos.

It doesn't matter what you are convinced of. The universe doesn't care about yours or my opinions. It simply exists as it is. So far ALL evidence points towards what you call "chaos".

Also, proof of a narrow minded way of thinking

Theory 1

Theory 2 must either refute theory 1 or include it in theory 2

Theory 3 must either refute theory 2 and 1, or include 2 and hence one

etc

Can't you see that when people try to build off a way of thinking for such a long time, that it will always go wrong somewhere?

No. In fact, this is the exact process that has accounted for ALL progress since the invention of the scientific method and modern science.

Think about how hard it would be to present a theory today that opposed some basic aspects of quantum mechanics.

Yes. This would be just as hard as presenting a theory that opposes the basics of classical physics, or ANY scientific theory that are known to be true.

As soon as the opposition becomes "highly unlikely" in the minds of the opposed, narrow mindedness is present.

Sorry, you are incorrect. You know absolutely nothing about the scientific method and why it works. It would be in your best interest to either learn about this, or stop posting here.
 
  • #35
Given the OP's strong opposition to learning absolutely anything, I motion that this thread be locked.
 
  • #36
Drakkith said:
Given the OP's strong opposition to learning absolutely anything, I motion that this thread be locked.
Agreed.
 

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