Regression of Universe: Is Time Repeatable?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the philosophical implications of time and determinism in the Universe, specifically whether recreating the state of every particle two years ago would result in identical events. The consensus among participants is that the Universe is unlikely to replay events exactly due to sensitive statistical and quantum mechanics effects. However, there remains a possibility that an underlying deterministic structure exists, challenging the assumption of statistical nature in physics. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the limitations of physics in addressing philosophical questions about time and existence.

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petrushkagoogol
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If every particle of the Universe was made to occupy the state at which it was 2 years ago, would there be an action replay of events from (T-2) yrs to T ? Or would subsequent events be different ?:rolleyes:
 
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Short answer: nobody knows.
This is part of the problem of determinism - and there is currently no solution.
The usual consensus is along the lines that the Universe will not play out exactly the same way twice from the same initial conditions ... this is because of some very sensitive statistical/quantum mechanics effects at the fundamental particle level. But it will be broadly similar.
However, this is an opinion based on an assumption that the underlying physics of the Universe is statistical in nature.
That may not be true: there may be an underlying structure that makes everything deterministic again.
 
petrushkagoogol said:
If every particle of the Universe was made to occupy the state at which it was 2 years ago
How can you define "now" without reference to the state of the universe and the particles in it?

This is a purely philosophical question, physics cannot answer philosophical questions and we are not a philosophy forum.
 
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