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The Arrow of Time in Causal Networks

Offered By: Simons Institute via YouTube

Tags

Entropy Courses Quantum Mechanics Courses Cosmology Courses Complexity Courses

Course Description

Overview

Explore the concept of time's arrow in causal networks through this thought-provoking lecture by Sean Carroll from Caltech and Santa Fe Institute. Delve into the derivation of a macroscopic arrow of time from reversible and time-symmetric fundamental laws, considering coarse-graining and the Past Hypothesis of low entropy. Examine how familiar aspects of time's arrow, such as causes preceding effects, can be derived from this formalism. Discover how the causal arrow naturally emerges when describing macroscopic systems in terms of a causal network, and consider suggestions for incorporating prediction and memory into this framework. Gain insights into foundational questions in quantum mechanics, spacetime, cosmology, entropy, and complexity from this renowned theoretical physicist and author.

Syllabus

Introduction
The Question
The Arrow of Time
Example
The Do Operator
The Entropy Equation
The Past Hypothesis
Low Entropy
Setup
The Mentaculous
Microvariable Evolution
Markovian Evolution
What is Entropy
Entropy in the Future
Entropy and Complexity
The Universe
The Glass of Wine
Backwards in Time
Conditionalization
Can I reverse the arrows
Whats next


Taught by

Simons Institute

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