Quantum mechanics and causality/determinism.

In summary, the author is saying that deterministic interpretations of quantum mechanics exist, but they are not 100% accurate. They also say that evolution is non-random, but mutation is random.
  • #1
SeventhSigma
257
0
Would this be accurate:

We can say that our universe is not deterministic because we can't identify, with arbitrary precision, what will happen with each particle on the quantum level (due to HUP, entanglement, etc). However, they are all part of a statistical framework/wavefunction which we can describe deterministically.

In other words, it'd be like if we couldn't predict the roll of a die (random), but could describe it statistically (deterministically). Would this be accurate?

Does this mean that causality doesn't exist on the macro level (technically-speaking), but rather just a large probability where things causally turn out due to statistical projections at near-100% levels?
 
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  • #2
What you are saying is more or less in accordance with what a lot of people view QM as.

However no one really knows what QM is really telling us about nature, there are several fully deterministic models of QM. (Bohm, MWI, other hidden variables, t Hooft etc.)
So QM is really agnostic about this issue.
Just the fact that we indeed can construct 100% deterministic interpretations is enough to convince me that reality is 100% deterministic, we just don't know all the details yet.
 
  • #3
Flip a coin, the more times you flip it, the closer you will get to 50/50. Hope this helps.
 
  • #4
Fyzix said:
Just the fact that we indeed can construct 100% deterministic interpretations is enough to convince me that reality is 100% deterministic
Just the fact that we indeed may imagine green elephants with two heads is not enough to convince me that such monsters are even a part of reality.

Don't forget about the price you must pay for those deterministic interpretations. Is indeterminism more difficult to accept than idea that each humble event depends on everything else in the Universe? Or exponentially (with pretty big exponent) growing number of parallel Unverses is easier to accept than indeterminism?
 
  • #5
Would we say the same thing about evolution?

We say evolution is very much non-random, but mutation is random. Is it still technically random, or just so chaotic that we can't keep track of the variables, but if we could, it wouldn't be "random"?
 
  • #6
When we think of real numbers or complex numbers nothing is too small to get a number.
If we think of a quantized world needs something - probably - be too small to make any difference.
 

1. What is the relationship between quantum mechanics and causality?

Quantum mechanics is a theory that describes the behavior of particles at the subatomic level. Causality, on the other hand, is the principle that every event has a cause and effect. While quantum mechanics does not violate the principle of causality, it does challenge our traditional understanding of it. According to quantum mechanics, particles can exist in multiple states at the same time and can influence each other without being directly connected. This leads to the concept of non-locality, where events can have simultaneous causes and effects that are not directly linked in space or time.

2. Does quantum mechanics support determinism?

Determinism is the philosophical idea that all events are predetermined by previous events and natural laws. In quantum mechanics, the behavior of particles is probabilistic, meaning that we cannot predict with certainty the outcome of a measurement. This challenges the concept of determinism, as it suggests that there is inherent randomness in the universe. However, some interpretations of quantum mechanics, such as the Many-Worlds Interpretation, propose that even though outcomes may be random, all possibilities exist simultaneously in parallel universes, maintaining the idea of determinism.

3. Can causality be violated in quantum mechanics?

No, causality cannot be violated in quantum mechanics. While it may seem like particles can influence each other without being directly connected, there are still underlying processes and natural laws that govern these interactions. Additionally, the concept of causality is still applicable at the macroscopic level, where the effects of quantum interactions average out and appear to follow the traditional cause-and-effect relationship.

4. How does quantum mechanics explain the concept of free will?

The concept of free will is a philosophical and ethical debate, and quantum mechanics does not provide a definitive answer. However, some interpretations of quantum mechanics, such as the Copenhagen Interpretation, suggest that the randomness and uncertainty at the quantum level could allow for free will to exist. Others argue that since our actions are still governed by natural laws and probabilities, free will is an illusion.

5. Can quantum mechanics be reconciled with classical physics and determinism?

There have been many attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics with classical physics and determinism, but a definitive solution has not been reached. Some theories, such as the Pilot Wave Theory, propose that there could be a hidden variable that determines the outcome of quantum events, but this remains a subject of debate. Ultimately, the reconciliation of these concepts may require a deeper understanding of the fundamental nature of the universe.

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