Originally posted by twhiteheadNo, I believe that free will (by your definition) is incompatible with the existence of single timeline. In other words, if we have free will then we do not have a single future for aliens of whatever dimension to know about. ----whitey--
No, I believe that free will (by your definition) is incompatible with the existence of single timeline. In other words, if we have free will then we do not have a single future for aliens of whatever dimension to know about.
I absolutely see no reason at all why if one person has free will that this necessitates more than one future.Here's the proof for this....
1)If someone has free will and they are faced with a choice between A or B how many choice outcomes will there be from that decision?
Answer = 1 (he cannot choose A and B , but A or B)
2)If someone's choices are determined between A or B then how many choice outcomes will there be from that determined decision?
Answer =1 (of course , as you know)
Therefore , the number of choice outcomes from either determinism or free will choices will always be identical. The simple fact is that there is only one outcome in both. This is what we know must be true from what we observe around us. One timeline results from both 1) and 2). The results would be the same for both.
I think this is to do with your conception of time as a tunnel down which we are walking or something and in order for there to be free will there must be points where the tunnel splits off into many optional tunnels(timelines)
However, if free will existed there is no need to see timelines in this way as you could see them as winding trails that are being formed by the person as they move through time with the tunnel being built as they go rather than "pre-built" before them. In this model God does not observe the tunnel down which you have yet to walk , he is observing your future self building said tunnel as you move through time.
My guess is that you would have no problem accepting that free will is not incompatible with God knowing what free choice you are making right now? If this is so then what would be stopping God from watching you do the same thing in your future.?