superdeterministic

Superdeterminism is a philosophical and physical theory that posits a deterministic universe where all events, including those that appear random, are ultimately determined by prior conditions. This concept is often discussed in the context of quantum mechanics, where the behavior of particles at the quantum level can seem unpredictable. Superdeterminism suggests that these apparent randomnesses are an illusion, and that the universe operates in a way that is fundamentally deterministic.

The theory was proposed by physicist John Bell in the 1970s as a response to the EPR paradox and the subsequent Bell's theorem. Bell argued that if the universe is deterministic, then the correlations observed in quantum entanglement experiments could be explained without invoking hidden variables or non-local interactions. This would mean that the outcomes of quantum measurements are predetermined by the initial conditions of the universe.

Superdeterminism is distinct from other deterministic theories, such as Laplace's demon, in that it does not require the existence of a supernatural being or a god-like entity to determine the future. Instead, it posits that the universe's initial conditions are sufficient to determine all future events. This makes superdeterminism a purely physical theory, relying on the laws of nature to explain the apparent randomness in quantum mechanics.

Critics of superdeterminism argue that it is not falsifiable, meaning there is no way to empirically test or disprove the theory. They also point out that the theory does not provide a clear mechanism for how the initial conditions of the universe could determine all future events. Despite these criticisms, superdeterminism remains an active area of research in the foundations of quantum mechanics and the philosophy of science.