The Last Theory

Causality ain't what you think it is

Sep 15, 2024

Explore the slippery nature of causality and its implications for free will. Discover how our everyday understanding clashes with the universe’s unpredictability. Dive into a rethinking of causality as the episode examines the Wolfram physics model. This new perspective suggests that the universe may operate on discrete computations, reshaping our interpretations of cause and effect. Get ready to question everything you thought you knew about how events unfold in our cosmos!

18:21

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Quick takeaways

The traditional understanding of causality is challenged by physics, suggesting that mathematical equations can describe phenomena without invoking causal language.

The belief in free will encounters complexities as human actions may involve deterministic processes akin to those governing inanimate objects.

Deep dives

Reevaluating Causality in Physics

Causality is often perceived as a straightforward concept, where one event causes another. However, when examining physical phenomena, such as the Earth's orbit around the Sun, this notion becomes problematic. The equations describing such orbits, like Einstein's, provide all necessary information without invoking causality, suggesting that traditional ideas about cause and effect may not apply in the realm of physics. This challenges the common understanding of causality, as it raises questions about the validity and necessity of using causal language when the underlying mathematics suffice to explain the observed phenomena.

The Slippery Nature of Causality

14min

Rethinking Causality in a Discrete Universe

4min

Do you know what causality is?

If you do, let me know, because I’m not sure.

I’ve never come across a conception of causality that makes sense to me.

After all, our universe seems to follow simple equations like Einstein’s equations, and there’s no mention of causality in these equations.

It makes me think that there’s no such thing as causality.

Unless...

Well, here’s the thing.

I’m no longer sure that our universe does follow these continuous equations.

I’m beginning to think that at the smallest scale, our universe might evolve through discrete computations.

If that turns out to be true, it allows for a limited conception of causalityafter all.

It’s causality, Jim, but not as we know it.

—

References:

Even the Catholic Church now concedes that the Earth orbits the Sun.
Einstein’s equations tell you everything you need to know about how the Sun, the Earth and the various other conglomerations of matter in the vicinity warp space and time in such a way that the Earth follows its slightly wobbly elliptical orbit around the Sun.
I tend to think that history is just one thing after another.

—

The Last Theory is hosted by Mark Jeffery, founder of Open Web Mind

I release The Last Theory as a video too! Watch here.

The full article is here.

Kootenay Village Ventures Inc.

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The Last Theory

Causality ain't what you think it is

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Reevaluating Causality in Physics

The Illusion of Free Will

Causality in Discrete Computational Models

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts