Exploring the Philosophy of Time Travel and Possibilities
Delve into a philosophical journey exploring the concept of time travel and various possible worlds. Join Chris as he navigates through different timelines, contemplating the nature of existence and potential realities, challenging notions of identity and choice. The discourse transcends traditional boundaries of time and space, prompting contemplation on the intricacies of causality and alternate realities.
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Guess Whos Back: The Philosophy of Time Travel Food and Talk March 15, 2022
Can Chris go back in time and change his high school haircut?
Chris can do X if and only if there is a close possible world where he does it.
Can Chris drive a car? Actual world A: Close possible world B:
Can Chris drive a car? Actual world A: Close possible world B:
Distant possible world W: Can Chris levitate? Actual world A:
Distant possible world W: Can Chris levitate? Actual world A:
Can Chris go back in time and change his high school haircut? Time Travel World A in 2007: Time Travel World B in 2007:
Can Chris go back in time and change his high school haircut? Time Travel World A in 2007: Time Travel World B in 2007:
Objection: Time travel world A is not the same world as Time Travel World B, so this isn t genuine time travel! It s travel to a different possible world!
Reply: We are still talking about what Chris can do in Time Travel World A. We are looking at Time Travel World B for information about what Chris can do in Time Travel World A, but that doesn t mean that Chris actually traveled to Time Travel World B.
Objection: But Chris s hair didn t change!!!
Reply: Just because it didn t change doesn t mean he couldn t have changed it. If determinism is true, then there are facts about what your hair will look like tomorrow and every day after that. But I am a compatibilist about free will, so I don t think this means you can t change your own hair.
Summary (assuming time travel is possible): (1) Chris can change his high school haircut if and only if there is a close possible world where he changes his high school haircut. (2) There is a close possible world where he changes his high school haircut. (3) Therefore, Chris can change his high school haircut.
