With the most recent readings and lecture, I thought about
the intersections between the theory of free will and what it would mean if
there existed parallel universes.
If you are unfamiliar with parallel universes, the concept I
am referring to is the theory that there are multiple universes (near infinite)
that encompass all possible outcomes of the universe. For example, there would be a universe in
which I chose to eat a ham sandwich for lunch, and there would be one in which I
chose to eat a turkey sandwich.
Likewise, there would also exist a universe in which I was never born
and in which I’m a girl.
Now what I’m confused at is whether ALL the possible universes were created at the beginning and
consequently follow a linear path per universe (which would contradict free
will). This would assume that our brains
are prewired to react to scenarios a certain way as well as assume that those
scenarios would happen anyway based on the particular settling of particles
when the universes were created.
Or, new universes are created for each possible outcome,
initially starting at a single possibility.
For instance, new universes would be created when I have the choice of
either a ham or turkey sandwich. There would
be a universe created for both of those choices and my being would be split,
and I would only be aware of traversing down one of the paths. The same would happen to my other parallel
self, he would share my entire history except for the fact that he chose the
opposite type of sandwich, so his mind believes he is traversing down a linear
path. (This supports free will)
What do you guys think of these concepts? Please point out anything I overlooked, for
these are pretty simplified versions of these theories.
I do think that you overlooked something with your second version of the parallel universes theory. Its actually an issue that is very common to philosophical discussions of free will. In the first scenario, each universe follows a linear path because of a causal chain. The laws of physics and chemistry dictate that a specific effect must follow from every cause. In the second scenario however, because there are multiple alternatives for each situation it would seem that there is no cause and effect relationship. The second parallel universes scenario actually perfectly highlights the problem with saying that the possibility of alternative paths gives us free will. If at every fork in the path a new parallel universe is created for each choice you possibly could have made, then isn't the path you end up on merely a matter of chance? So, I don't believe that the second scenario actually supports free will. If there is no cause and effect relationship then aren't all our choices just random? In fact, most modern philosophical arguments involving free will try to assert that free will is actually compatible with a linear universe.
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