If time is linear, as our perception would suggest, then it is reasonable to assume that time flows from the future to the past. We can visualize this concept, simply, with a number line in which the past is represented by all negative numbers, the future is represented by all positive numbers, and the absolute present is situated at 0.
One interesting postulate that is formed from this analogy is that causality flows in an opposing direction from what we would ordinarily expect. If time begins in the future, then cause must also reside with future events.
It's an interesting consideration. This is, of course, unless we remove the connection between time and causality. If we assume that cause and effect remain intact (as required by entropy), and perceived time is independent of causality, then effect can precede cause from our perspective while retaining causality.
This then begs the question, can causality be considered a relative phenomenon?
- Badges
- Science topic