Nov 25 2009
The Forecast: 100% Probability of Rain
The weather forecast for today: rain. Oh look, it’s raining right now. Current temperature: 67 degrees.
While I like the rain, I’m not fond of the muted light.
Philosophical query of the day: Because weather forecasts are probabilistic (60% chance of rain, etc.) are they then a-causal?
Of course not.
Then why do some scientists speak of causality breaking down in the quantum realm? Those events, too, are probabilistic. Does that (and a lack of known mechanisms influencing the probability) make them a-causal? I don’t know. I tend to doubt it. This is such an important topic that a friend of mine and I plan on getting together next week to discuss it. We will roll up our intellectual sleeves, gulp down a few beers, and, armed with a slew of articles pertaining to the topic, attempt to advance our understanding. Forecast for success: 20%, depending on how you define “success.” (The probability for getting buzzed is quite a bit higher.)
If I attain enlightenment on the topic, I’ll be sure to share it.
