Is there inherent, observable randomness in the universe?

[Trantor]

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Of course, I will make the disclaimer that there are non-local hidden-variable theories which have not been ruled out--but the smart money seems to be on genuine randomness.

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Are these non-local hidden-variable theories the ONLY ones that exclude true randomness or would the MWI accomplish it also? Or is the MWI a hidden-variable theory?

Philosophically speaking I don't see how the idea of the observer influencing the event being observed (which I have no trouble accepting) is incompatible with determinism. Or is there a reason why I should?

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WMI is not predicated on any hidden variable theory.

Observations (measurements) affecting the state of the system being measured (in a quantum measurement sense) is not incompatible with determinism....that is hidden variable theory, for example (which I'm not aware has been proved to be impossible but which most scientists in the field believe is wrong). Determinism in the sense that some (all?)probabalistic events of QM have a non-random mechanism that means they are non-probabilistic, in fact.

[Cyrus]

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When did you last see an atom?

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MMMMMM showed me his brainscan once.

Huge magnification.

[Trantor]

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I wish I had a nickel for every time I've heard an atheist say to a theist "why can't you accept that it's just random?"

These guys think that's the end of the line. Something is random, here's the distribution, so we've explained it, end of story. If that's not ultimacy then I don't know what is.

Anyway, I thought it was agnostics who don't make any bold claims.

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It's apparantly random because all science points that way. christian and atheist physicists all agree (except for the view trying to devise a hidden variable theory for example). religion has absolutely nothing to do with it, any more than religion should have had anything to do with the fact or fiction of the earth going round the sun!

[Darryl_P]

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christian and atheist physicists all agree (except for the view trying to devise a hidden variable theory for example).

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How about those who ascribe to the many-worlds interpretation as opposed to the Copenhagen interpretation? As I understand these are no insignificant fringe group.