Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-31T23:50:30.917Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Constraints on Data in Worlds with Closed Timelike Curves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Abstract

It is claimed that unacceptable constraints on initial data are imposed by certain responses to paradoxes that threaten time travel, closed timelike curves (CTCs) and other backwards causation hypotheses. In this paper I argue against the following claims: to say “contradictions are impossible so something must prevent the paradox” commits in general to constraints on initial data, that for fixed point dynamics so-called grey state solutions explain why contradictions do not arise, and the latter have been proved to avoid constraints on initial data.

Type
Philosophy of Physics
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arntzenius, Frank (2006), “Time Travel: Double Your Fun”, Time Travel: Double Your Fun 1:599616.Google Scholar
Arntzenius, Frank, and Maudlin, Tim (2002), “Time Travel and Modern Physics”, in Callender, Craig (ed.), Time, Reality and Experience. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 169200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Deutsch, David (1991), “Quantum Mechanics Near Closed Timelike Curves”, Quantum Mechanics Near Closed Timelike Curves 44:31973217.Google Scholar
Dowe, Phil (2003), “The Coincidences of Time Travel”, The Coincidences of Time Travel 70:574589.Google Scholar
Earman, John (1995), Bangs, Crunches, Whimpers, and Shrieks: Singularities and Acausalities in Relativistic Spacetimes. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Echeverria, F., Klinkhammer, G., and Thorne, Kip (1991), “Billiard Ball in Wormhole Spacetimes with Closed Timelike Curves: Classical Theory”, Billiard Ball in Wormhole Spacetimes with Closed Timelike Curves: Classical Theory 44:10771099.Google Scholar
Feynman, Richard, and Wheeler, John (1949), “Classical Electrodynamics in Terms of Direct Interparticle Action”, Classical Electrodynamics in Terms of Direct Interparticle Action 21:425434.Google Scholar
Friedman, John, Morris, M., Novikov, Igor, Echeverria, F., Klinkhammer, G., Thorne, Kip, and Yurtsever, U. (1990), “Cauchy Problem in Spacetimes with Closed Timelike Curves”, Cauchy Problem in Spacetimes with Closed Timelike Curves 42:19151930.Google ScholarPubMed
Krasnikov, Sergei (2002), “Time Travel Paradox”, Time Travel Paradox 65: 064013.Google Scholar
Kutach, Doug (2003), “Time Travel and Consistency Constraint”, Time Travel and Consistency Constraint 70:10981113.Google Scholar
Lewis, David (1976), “The Paradoxes of Time Travel”, The Paradoxes of Time Travel 13:145152.Google Scholar
Maudlin, Tim (1990), “Time Travel and Topology”, in Fine, Arthur, Forbes, Micky, and Wessels, Linda (eds.), PSA 1990. Vol. 1. East Lansing, MI: Philosophy of Science Association, 303315.Google Scholar
Novikov, Igor (1992), “Time Machine and Self-Consistent Evolution in Problems with Self-Interaction”, Time Machine and Self-Consistent Evolution in Problems with Self-Interaction 45:19891994.Google ScholarPubMed
Novikov, Igor (1998), The River of Time. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Riggs, Peter (1997), “The Principal Paradox of Time Travel”, The Principal Paradox of Time Travel 10:4864.Google Scholar
Sider, Ted (2002), “Time Travel, Coincidences and Counterfactuals”, Time Travel, Coincidences and Counterfactuals 110:115138.Google Scholar
Smith, Nick (1997), “Bananas Enough for Time Travel?British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 48:363389.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thorne, Kip (1994), Black Holes and Time Warps. New York: Norton.Google Scholar