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I think this is a trick question. I don't think it's even been settled that quantum mechanics are truly, for sure probabilistic. The universe's true underlyin

by d4v3 2y ago

I think this is a trick question. I don't think it's even been settled that quantum mechanics are truly, for sure probabilistic. The universe's true underlying nature (deterministic or not) is still unknown. Additionally, classical mechanics inherently assumes states can be predicted if initial conditions are known. I think more practical questions would be along "what classical situations are non-deterministic from a human perspective or in-practice?", which would lead to questions about what is calculable or not with the tools and knowledge we have now

drpossum 2y ago
> I don't think it's even been settled that quantum mechanics are truly, for sure probabilistic. Since you can never prove or disprove the existence of "God" or some other hidden global variable deterministically moving the universe, yes, nothing can ever be settled. Scientists don't find that line of reasoning particularly interesting or compelling to dwell on.
- d4v3 2y ago
  You're right, I didn't mean to add so much emphasis on 'knowing'. I meant settled in the sense of 'settled science', or being as reasonably sure as we can--barring any flying spaghetti monsters. Far from being uninteresting to scientists, I'd argue that this question of whether quantum mechanics is truly probabilistic or hides deeper deterministic mechanisms is one of the most profound topics in physics