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You're thinking of the universe in a very classical sense. Our current understanding of physics is that quantum mechanical outcomes are truly random. Not just t
by foob 13y ago
You're thinking of the universe in a very classical sense. Our current understanding of physics is that quantum mechanical outcomes are truly random. Not just that we don't know what will happen but that it is inherently not predetermined before it happens. You can read up on Bell's Theorem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell's_theorem http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell's_theorem) if you want to learn a bit more about this.
If you "ran" the universe over again from the big bang, then the probability that you would exist is essentially zero. I don't know enough about neuroscience to speculate on whether quantum mechanics has any relevance to brain functions over the course of a lifetime but from a physics standpoint it isn't inconceivable.
On a more philosophical note: if there is some true randomness in how our brain works do you think that that actually gives us any more control over our lives? It doesn't really change anything in my view.
- baddox 13y agoCan the notion of "going back in time and running the universe again" be defined well enough to actually speak intelligently about?
- dragonwriter 13y ago> On a more philosophical note: if there is some true randomness in how our brain works do you think that that actually gives us any more control over our lives? "True randomness" in the sense that randomness is part of our current understanding of physics is just something not being determined by the prior state of the physical universe. It is, therefore, indistinguishable from things being determined by something that is neither part of nor itself determined by any set of things within the physical universe, i.e., "true randonmness" is empirically indistinguishable from the action of causes which are not themselves determined by the physical state of the universe. Or, IOW, free will (that is, the ability to act other than in a manner determined by the prior state of the universe) requires (but is not implied by) a physical universe in which "true randomness" exists. So, true randomness in the physical universe doesn't imply free will, but it is necessary for free will to exist.
- twinge 13y agoYou're roughly describing the "Quantum Mind". Critics allege it's been discredited because quantum mechanical processes don't occur on the scale of most neuronal activity. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mind http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mind