Does True Randomness Exist or Is It Just an Illusion?

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The discussion centers on the nature of randomness and its implications in both science and philosophy. It questions whether true randomness exists or if all seemingly random events can be explained by underlying physical processes, referencing concepts like chaos and quantum mechanics. The conversation highlights that randomness often serves as a means to quantify ignorance, particularly in complex systems like sports outcomes, where predicting every variable is nearly impossible. Additionally, it touches on the distinction between causality and predictability, suggesting that while physical processes may be deterministic, precise predictions can still be unattainable. Ultimately, the dialogue emphasizes the philosophical complexities surrounding the concept of randomness in both theoretical and practical contexts.
  • #31
BWV said:
Does the fact that a deterministic model describes a system to the level of precision that we care about make the underlying phenomena deterministic to any arbitrary level of precision (which TRVE determinism would imply)?
No, but to me it suggests that it wouldn't be unreasonable to act on the basis that those phenomena are fundamentally deterministic at some level of awareness (unless doing so made one miserable.)
 

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