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From: jlg@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: Is the universe predictable?
Message-ID: <18281@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 18-Dec-84 16:59:12 EST
Article-I.D.: lanl.18281
Posted: Tue Dec 18 16:59:12 1984
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> > I think the question here is: Are there any truly random forces?
> 
> The consensus of the physics community appears to be that quantum
> laws are inherently random, and that this is NOT just a lack of
> detailed understanding of a really deterministic situation.
> 
> This bothers me..

Actually, it IS (maybe) just a lack of detailed understanding of a really
deterministic situation.  Unfortunately, the uncertainty principle states
that if there is such an underlying determinism, it is inherently
unknowable.  So, Quantum mechanics may as well be completely non-
deterministic for any practical discussion.

Note that even a deterministic system may be completely unpredictable.
Consider the stopping problem in computing science.

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The greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something
because one wishes it to be so - Louis Pastuer

                                              James Giles