The Temporal Asymmetry of Influence Is Not Statistical.

I argue that the temporal asymmetry of influence is not merely the result of thermodynamics: it is a consequence of the fact that the modal structure of the universe must admit only processes that cannot give rise to contradictions. I appeal to the process matrix formalism developed in the field of...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Philosophy of Science Vol. 90; no. 4; pp. 855 - 880
Autor principal: Adlam, Emily
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Cambridge University Press Oct2023
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:I argue that the temporal asymmetry of influence is not merely the result of thermodynamics: it is a consequence of the fact that the modal structure of the universe must admit only processes that cannot give rise to contradictions. I appeal to the process matrix formalism developed in the field of quantum foundations to characterize processes that are compatible with local free will while ruling out contradictions, and I argue that this gives rise to "consistent-chaining" requirements that explain the temporal asymmetry of influence. I compare this view to the perspectival account of causation advocated by Price and Ramsey.