Is it metaphysically possible for a timeless entity (A) to cause a timeless effect (B)? By "metaphysically," I mean having to do with extramental reality.
2006-12-29 02:42:17 · 5 answers · asked by sokrates 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
By "timeless" I mean "eternal" or "having no temporal states" such as before or after, temporally prior or posterior to X. By "extramental" I mean that which exists outside of the mind. An extramental object is normally thought to exist independent of one's subjectivity. BTW, thanks for the recommendations.
2006-12-30 06:49:46 · update #1
Regarding your second question: Your terms "extramental reality", "timeless entity" and "timeless effect" require definition. What do you mean by these? Does extramental just mean "not just imaginary" and does timeless just mean eternal, or are you investing some additional or different meaning in these terms?
Regarding your first question: Since "temporal" is just a fancy way of saying "time", I take it you are asking the following: is causation possible if there is no such thing as time?
For a good, if somewhat technical introduction to the philosophy of causation and time, I suggest you read:
2006-12-29 07:07:11 · answer #1 · answered by versus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think both propositions contained in your question are equally true
Atemporal causality is metaphysically possible, as according to logic "A => B" only means that no occurrence of A has ever been reported without its corresponding ocurrence of B
That metaphysical possibility is no use at all, though. That's because according to physics causality is strictly temporal and talking about "timeless entities" does not make any sense
2006-12-29 11:55:03 · answer #2 · answered by R. G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have trouble concieving of causality as being atemporal since that is part of my definition for causality and the direction of time on all points in physics points in one direction (forward).
2006-12-29 05:18:07 · answer #3 · answered by ♫ giD∑■η ♫ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...Cause and effect in the present and past. Could we consider the theory? Yes. Is it possible at one point? Yes. In our minds.
Causality is not strictly temporal, metaphysically. We know the Big Bang happened, and continues to occur to this day, in theory.
2006-12-29 03:04:48 · answer #4 · answered by Lana Lang 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Er.....yeah.
I'm no physicist but in my limited knowledge, it might be an idea for you to look into quantum mechanics. Seriously.
Happy New Year.
2006-12-29 02:46:10 · answer #5 · answered by lou b 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋