Update: Negation of the Grandfather Paradox

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In summary, the conversation discussed whether it is possible to alter the future by traveling back in time and killing one's own grandfather, known as the grandfather paradox. The conclusion was that it is not possible, as the very act of formulating the thought to travel back in time negates the possibility of actually doing so. The conversation was deemed too speculative and better suited for a philosophy forum. However, an article on Popular Mechanics was recently published discussing how quantum mechanics may offer a solution to the grandfather paradox. The conversation remains closed as time travel is still not considered possible.
  • #1
jacirez
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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.

 
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  • #2
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.
 

1. What is the Grandfather Paradox?

The Grandfather Paradox is a theoretical situation in which a person goes back in time and somehow prevents their own birth or kills their own grandfather, thereby negating their own existence.

2. How is the Grandfather Paradox related to time travel?

The Grandfather Paradox is often used as a thought experiment in discussions about time travel, as it highlights the potential consequences and paradoxes that could arise from changing events in the past.

3. What is the proposed solution to the Grandfather Paradox?

One proposed solution to the Grandfather Paradox is the idea of parallel universes or the multiverse theory. This suggests that any changes made in the past would create a new universe, rather than altering the existing one. Therefore, the person's own existence would not be affected.

4. How does the negation of the Grandfather Paradox affect our understanding of time travel?

The negation of the Grandfather Paradox challenges our traditional understanding of time travel and raises questions about the nature of time and causality. It also suggests that time travel may not be possible in the way it is often portrayed in science fiction.

5. Are there any other proposed solutions to the Grandfather Paradox?

Aside from the multiverse theory, other proposed solutions to the Grandfather Paradox include the idea of a deterministic universe, where events are predetermined and cannot be changed, and the concept of a self-correcting timeline, where any attempts to change the past are naturally prevented by the universe. However, these solutions also have their own limitations and criticisms.

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