Update: Negation of the Grandfather Paradox

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jacirez
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Paradox
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Grandfather Paradox in temporal mechanics, asserting that time travel cannot alter one's fate. The original poster argues that the act of contemplating time travel inherently negates the possibility of changing past events, as one would already possess memories of such actions. A response highlights the speculative nature of the topic, emphasizing the lack of conclusive physics experiments on time travel. The thread was subsequently locked, and a related article from Popular Mechanics reiterates that time travel remains impossible and discussions around it are largely philosophical.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of temporal mechanics and paradoxes
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics principles
  • Knowledge of philosophical implications of time travel
  • Awareness of current scientific discourse on time travel
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the Grandfather Paradox in temporal mechanics
  • Explore quantum mechanics theories related to time travel
  • Investigate philosophical discussions surrounding time travel and causality
  • Read about experimental physics related to time travel concepts
USEFUL FOR

Philosophers, physicists, students of temporal mechanics, and anyone interested in the theoretical implications of time travel and its paradoxes.

jacirez
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I originally posted the following:
"...
I believe I found a solution (or a negation) to one of temporal mechanics most enduring paradox:
If you travel back in time, could you kill your own grandfather, thereby altering your future, even erasing yourself from existence?

The short answer is NO. You can't.

This is simply because the moment (present instant) you formulate the thought to travel back in time to do anything to alter your fate as you remember in that instant (past and present), the mere act of formulating the thought means that on fact you DID NOT travel back in time and altered your fate as you remember it in the first place.

This is because if you did in fact travel back in time and altered your fate (past and present), you would (in the present instant you formulate the thought) already have the memory that you did in fact travel back in time and altered your fate.

Since you do not have these memories (as you formulate the thought of traveling back in time in the first place), simply asking the question, rather than remembering past actions (remembering that you already traveled back in time and altered your future) , negates the paradox...
..."

I received this response:
"...
This is too speculative. As far as I know, there has not been a conclusive physics experiment that has tested this issue. Therefore, all answers are purely hypothetical and philosophical. Hence, this discussion is better suited on some philosophy forum instead of PF.

Thread locked.

Do read this (section 4, 5 and 6): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel#Time_travel_to_the_past_in_physics
Any question about this can be asked in our forum. Personal theories such as the OP cannot be allowed as such..."

Today, the following article appeared on Popular Mechanic:
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/quantum-mechanics-saves-grandfathers-time-travelers
Quantum Mechanics Saves Grandfathers From Time Travelers

Probability solves a great question of time travel. Well, probably.

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Unfortunately this does not solve the issue of the grandfather paradox. Time travel is not possible, and as such, any discussion on it is necessarily steeped in speculation and philosophy. Thread closed.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 98 ·
4
Replies
98
Views
9K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
5K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 138 ·
5
Replies
138
Views
11K
Replies
8
Views
4K