Time travel has been an age old theoretical discussion in both philosophical and scientific fields. If one was to have the ability to enter a time machine and travel to their past would it be possible to alter the course of time and free will? This article will explore the paradox of time travel and discuss if it is possible to unlock the secrets of the past or if the laws of Causality or Monoholism reign supreme.
What is Time Travel?
Time travel is defined as the hypothetical capacity for an object, typically a human being, to move between different points in time, either their own timeline or that of other characters. Time travel has been a popular topic in both fiction and philosophy since the mid nineteenth century, alongside the development of the classical mechanics that allowed for its theoretical potential.
What is the Paradox of Time Travel?
The paradox of time travel is the difficulty of reconciling the thought of traveling to the past with the laws of causality, or time-travel monoholism, which states that given certain conditions, events in the past cannot be changed. For example, if someone was to travel back in time and prevent a certain event from happening, it would create a causal contradiction which would render the whole action unviable or could lead to disastrous unforeseen consequences. This impossibility to travel back in time and manipulate the present suggests that time travel is logically impossible, despite its popularity in science fiction.
What is Free Will?
The concept of free will has been an integral part of all philosophical thought since ancient times. It is usually defined as the capacity of an individual to make choices and decisions which correspond directly to their own goals, values and beliefs without the influence of any external forces. This has led to a paradox that stems from the contemplation of time travel, as it calls into question whether or not humans can truly exercise free will or if they are bound by the laws of causality.
Can We Change The Past?
The question of whether or not it is possible to change the past has been a source of debate in both scientific and philosophical circles for centuries. According to the laws of causality, all events in the past must have an effect on the present and any attempt to manipulate these events would result in a logical paradox. However, this does not rule out the possibility of altering the future as a result of an action taken in the past, as long as that action does not contradict the laws of causality.
In his book The Philosophy of Time Travel, philosopher and artificial intelligence researcher Robert M. Pirsig put forth the idea of a “dynamic universe” in which free will and time travel could both exist. He argued that while it is impossible to travel to a point in time where the law of causality could be broken, it is possible to explore alternative paths or timelines through the manipulation of events in the present. He also suggested that this could be done through deliberate acts of free will in the present which could have the effect of changing the future.
Is Time Travel Possible?
While time travel remains a theoretical theoretical discussion and its possibility is still up for debate, there is evidence to suggest that it may be theoretically possible to travel back in time through theoretical means such as wormholes or through the manipulation of space-time. However, due to the laws of causality being broken when attempting to alter the past, any form of actual time travel is likely impossible.
In conclusion, it can be said that the paradox of time travel poses a difficult question that may never be resolved. It is impossible to determine whether or not it is possible to alter the past without first determining whether or not free will exists. While it is theoretically possible to travel back in time, it appears that any attempt to manipulate events or change the course of time will only lead to a logical contradiction.
Conclusion
The paradox of time travel is perhaps one of the oldest and most thought-provoking questions in the realm of philosophy and physics. Despite its theoretical implications, it appears that time travel still remains impossible due to the laws of causality which prevent the manipulation of the past. In other words, it appears that free will must exist in order for time travel to be possible, but only if the laws of causality are honored at all times.
Sources:
- Robert M. Pirsig, The Philosophy of Time Travel.
- Greta Christina, “Time Travel and the Potential of Free Will” Psychology Today website 67 (2019): 66-69.
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