Does causality exist in a block universe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of causality within the framework of a block universe, particularly in relation to concepts from special relativity. Participants explore the implications of a four-dimensional continuum where space and time are interdependent, questioning whether independent objects can exist to effectuate causation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant argues that if causality exists, causes must reside within the past light cone, suggesting that independent objects cannot exist in a block universe, leading to the presumption that causality does not exist.
  • Another participant challenges this view by questioning the reasoning behind denying causality, implying that such a denial contradicts the interdependence of objects with space and time.
  • A further participant points out that if causality does not exist, it raises questions about the reasoning behind responses in the discussion, indicating a potential contradiction in the argument against causality.
  • One participant asserts that their original post did not cause subsequent responses, framing the posts as pre-existing elements of the spacetime continuum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the existence of causality in a block universe, with some supporting the idea that causality does not exist while others challenge this position, leading to an unresolved discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of spacetime and causality that remain unexamined, such as the implications of special relativity and the definitions of independent objects within the block universe framework.

Dennis Blewett
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I have read that if causality exists, then the cause must exist in the past light cone because causes can't go faster than light. However, as an implication of special relativity, space and time are interdependent, leading to a four-dimensional continuum. Since reality is a block universe (block universe theory), multiverse discussions aside, independent objects don't exist: they, too, are interdependent. Thus, there can't be an independent object in a past light cone to effectuate an effect.

Am I right to presume causality does not exist?

No slice of spacetime has independent objects that lead to an effect. All of spacetime is written and all of spacetime is interdependent. No slice of spacetime causes the next moment to come into existence.
 
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Dennis Blewett said:
Am I right
No.
 
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I do not understand the reasoning for your response. To argue no is to claim all things are not interdependent with space and time
 
Dennis Blewett said:
I do not understand the reasoning for your response.
If causality doesn't exist, how could @Vanadium 50 have a reason for his response to your post?
 
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Vanadium 50's post came temporally after my thread creation. But my thread did not cause the post to come into existence. The person's post was already part of reality (part of the spacetime continuum), as per special relativity.
 
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Thread closed temporally for Moderation with something that will be caused pretty soon by your posts...
 
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Thread will remain closed. OP is stuck in a looping time continuum for 10 days for trolling us. Have a nice day. :smile:
 
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