The Problem of Causality in Physics [1931i]

Martin Tamm

In this paper, the concept of causality in physics is discussed. Causality is a necessary tool for the understanding of almost all physical phenomena. However, taking it as a fundamental principle may lead us to wrong conclusions, particularly in cosmology. Here, three very well-known problems-the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, the accelerating expansion and the asymmetry of time-are discussed from this perspective. In particular, the implications of causality are compared to those of an alternative approach, where we instead take the probability space of all possible developments as the starting point.

Moritz Schlick

Horandstrasse, DE-26441 Jever, Germany, Ilija Barukčić

The deterministic relationship between cause and effect is deeply connected with our understanding of the physical sciences and their explanatory ambitions.Though progress is being made, the lack of theoretical predictions and experiments in quantum gravity makes it difficult to use empirical evidence to justify a theory of causality at quantum level in normal circumstances, i. e. by predicting the value of a well-confirmed experimental result.For a variety of reasons, the problem of the deterministic relationship between cause and effect is related to basic problems of physics as such.Despite the common belief, it is a remarkable fact that a theory of causality should be consistent with a theory of everything and is because of this linked to problems of a theory of everything.Thus far, solving the problem of causality will help us to solve the problems of the theory of everything (at quantum level).

M. Schlick

Ilija Barukčić

Abstract—The deterministic relationship between cause and effect is deeply connected with our understanding of the physical sciences and their explanatory ambitions. Though progress is being made, the lack of theoretical predictions and experiments in quantum gravity makes it difficult to use empirical evidence to justify a theory of causality at quantum level in normal circumstances, i. e. by predicting the value of a well-confirmed experimental result. For a variety of reasons, the problem of the deterministic relationship between cause and effect is related to basic problems of physics as such. Despite the common belief, it is a remarkable fact that a theory of causality should be consistent with a theory of everything and is because of this linked to problems of a theory of everything. Thus far, solving the problem of causality will help us to solve the problems of the theory of everything (at quantum level).