Chen, Eddy Keming (2022) Strong Determinism. [Preprint]

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Abstract

A strongly deterministic theory of physics is one that permits exactly one possible history of the universe. In the words of Penrose (1989), "it is not just a matter of the future being determined by the past; the entire history of the universe is fixed, according to some precise mathematical scheme, for all time.” Such an extraordinary feature may appear unattainable in a world like ours. In this paper, I show that it can be achieved in a simple way and discuss its implications for metaphysics and philosophy of science, including natural properties, free will, explanation, and modality. First, I propose a precise definition of strong determinism. Next, I discuss its philosophical ramifications and a toy example. Finally, I provide a realistic example of a strongly deterministic (and simple) physical theory---the Everettian Wentaculus. A surprising consequence is that whether or not our world is strongly deterministic may be empirically underdetermined.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Chen, Eddy Keming eddykemingchen@ucsd.edu 0000-0001-5144-0952
Keywords:	determinism, super-determinism, laws of nature, causation, prediction, explanation, simplicity, Past Hypothesis, Wentaculus, Mentaculus, quantum foundations, arrow of time, empirical equivalence, limitation of knowledge, the consequence argument, free will, modal realism
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Dr. Eddy Keming Chen
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2024 08:44
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2024 08:44
Item ID:	23347
Official URL:	https://doi.org/10.3998/phimp.3250
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	5 March 2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23347

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• Strong Determinism. (deposited 11 Mar 2022 02:13)
  • Strong Determinism. (deposited 30 Apr 2024 08:44) [Currently Displayed]

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