Might not make much sense...?

Question

Sorry if this sounds like a load of crap but I'm not sure how to put it exactly.
If we could break down all external and internal variables (such as physical actions, e.g. the weather, or mental activity, e.g. a person's unique personality and reaction to events) into mathematical formula, basically obtaining all possible data about an environment and the objects and processes interacting in it, would it be possible to predict exactly the outcome of future events?

Answer 1

I have two thoughts on this matter.

1) Having all possible data present and past on the internal (everything concerning an event) and external variables (everything outside the event) would be all the information about the universe from the big bang to the present. I mean, you could argue that there is some data that could be left out, but everything ultimately affects everything else. Take our weather, for instance. Our weather is affected by events that have taken place billions of years ago and over vast distances. When a star explodes, from very far away, it releases energy, some of which may strike the earth. The particles that strike the earth put energy into the atmosphere, which will affect the weather (makes wind or a cloud). Even if there are exploded stars that did not reach Earth, we'd only know that if we tracked it.

I guess the point I'm making is that you'd need a computer the size of the universe to perform a calculation of this sort. In fact, you need it to be slightly bigger.

2) Even if you invented a computer capable of holding all the data ever generated by the universe, I don't think that computer would be able to predict quantum fluctuations, such when a particle-anti particle pair spontaneously jump into existence. The quantum level isn't well-defined, which is what you would need in order to predict the future. You need well-defined events to predict the future. And the not well-defined events on the quantum level can effect well-defined events on the macroscopic level and a computer would not be able to anticipate it.

Thus, there is free will!. Just my two cents. I hope this helps.

Edit: A previous answerer brought up an interesting point. A computer that uses data to predict the future would change the future and thus would have to take its own affects into account. That does seem paradoxical. Let's say the computer predicts your accidental death by falling off a ladder on Monday. But having that information will change your behaviour. So, you will not be getting on ladders on Monday. But the computer must have known that would be your response (since it predicts the future). So where does that leave us??? It changes the very future it predicts....

Answer 2

No.

The equations that represent natural phenomena are almost always recursive and iterative--the value at time t depends upon what happened at time t-1, which in turn depended upon what happened at time t-2, etc. Also, one variable's value might be dependent upon other variables.

The most powerful and fastest supercomputers in the world still cannot accurately predict weather patterns or model natural events like a volcanic eruption. Too many variables and too much information.

Answer 3

it depends how accurate are the formulas, do you take enough into account ? etc.

if all that is okay , then you are asking , if we can calculate the state of the universe , will it be possible to predict the future ? yes ofcourse.

but i dont think we will ever arrive at that point.
the computer that calculates , will influence the environment as well . So you should know its influence before it starts calculating. well i see troubles here ...

Answer 4

You would have to be able to break down *all* variables, down to the subatomic level in order to compensate for all possibilities.

I had pondered exactly this question back in HS. If you can succeed in doing this, drop me an email ;)

Answer 5

No, there is too much chance.