Spatially separated events are time relative but .

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relativity of simultaneity and the distinction between causally connected and causally disconnected events in the context of Einstein's theory of relativity. It establishes that spatially separated events can appear to occur in different orders depending on the observer's frame of reference, yet causally connected events maintain a consistent order across all frames. The conversation also explores the implications of the block universe theory and the challenges in reconciling it with general relativity and quantum mechanics. Key points include the importance of light cones in defining causal relationships and the philosophical implications of time perception.

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  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of causality in physics
  • Knowledge of Minkowski spacetime and light cones
  • Basic grasp of the block universe theory
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  • Research the implications of light cones in special relativity
  • Study the differences between causally connected and disconnected events
  • Explore the philosophical debates surrounding the block universe theory
  • Investigate the relationship between general relativity and quantum mechanics
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Physicists, philosophers of science, and students of relativity seeking to deepen their understanding of time, causality, and the structure of the universe.

  • #31
Pleonasm said:
A psychic informes me that a specific Sofie will marry me after he tells me this - A. Prompting me to get curious, contact a specific Sofie - B. Sofie proposes to me and we get married ( I fall in love over the phone) - C.

A is not connected to C?

If the time between A and C was a year (for you) then A is causally connected to all within a light year of A at the time of C, everything outside that distance at that moment is "elsewhere".
 
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  • #32
Pleonasm said:
I guess we will find out. He did write: "is not transitive" instead of "not neccesarily".
That is correct, the relationship is not transitive. Here is a brief introduction about what it means for a relationship to be transitive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transitive_relation

You are thinking of antitransitivity which is a stronger statement: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intransitivity

Causality is not transitive, but it is not antitransitive. I was not claiming antitransitivity.

If you are given only that A is causally connected to B and B is causally connected to C then you do not have enough information to determine if there is a causal connection between A and C. For instance, the causal connection could be that A caused B and B caused C, in which case A would be causally connected to C. But the causal connection could be that A was caused by B and C was caused by B, in which case A might not be causally connected to C.

This is relevant because it shows the problem with this argument:
Pleonasm said:
if you at the same time take the view of causality being a fact since the beginning of universe, entailing that all events are by necessity causally connected to each other
This argument relies on causality being a transitive relationship. You are claiming that every event is causally connected to the big bang, and therefore causally connected to each other. But this only works if "causally connected" is a transitive relationship, which it is not.
 
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