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    Because the metaphysical commitments of backward causatio... — Carmelics
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    Supports→Mellor's argument against backward causation may fail even if his argument against time travel succeeds.

    Because the metaphysical commitments of backward causation are weaker than those of time travel, Mellor's resources sufficient to defeat the latter are insufficient to defeat the former.

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    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Backward causation requires only local causal relations between events; time travel requires closed timelike curves violating global spacetime structure.
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    • 2.Mellor's objections target time travel's logical paradoxes (grandfather problem); backward causation avoids these by preserving temporal order of causation.
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    • 3.Weaker metaphysical commitments require fewer controversial assumptions, making them harder to refute with the same argumentative resources.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.Backward causation equally violates standard causal asymmetry and thermodynamic principles that ground objections to exotic causation generally.
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    • 2.Mellor's anti-time-travel arguments (like causal coherence constraints) apply equally to any causation violating temporal direction, not just time travel specifically.
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    • 3.Weaker metaphysical commitments don't guarantee survival against principled objections; backward causation faces the same fundamental challenge to causal asymmetry.
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    Key Terms

    Mellor(as a reference to a specific philosopher)
    D.H. Mellor is a British philosopher who wrote influential work on the nature of time and causation.
    Metaphysical commitments(in metaphysics)
    The fundamental beliefs you're taking on about what's real and how the world actually is when you adopt a certain position.
    Sufficient to defeat(philosophical argumentation)
    Having enough evidence, arguments, or resources to prove something wrong or show it doesn't work.
    Time travel(the main subject being discussed)
    The hypothetical ability to move through time in a way that doesn't match normal experience—like skipping ahead, going backward, or experiencing time at a different speed than everyone else.
    Weaker/stronger (metaphysical commitments)(comparative analysis of theories)
    A theory with 'weaker' commitments requires fewer or less controversial assumptions about reality; 'stronger' commitments require more assumptions.
    backward causation(Discussed as something free will considerations might argue against)
    Causation in which a later event causes an earlier event, running opposite to the normal temporal direction

    Connections

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    Causation1 linked

    Related

    Backward causation equally violates standard causal asymmetry and thermodynamic ...Backward causation requires only local causal relations between events; time tra...Mellor's anti-time-travel arguments (like causal coherence constraints) apply eq...Mellor's argument against backward causation may fail even if his argument again...

    Details

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit
    +3 moreShow less
    Mellor's objections target time travel's logical paradoxes (grandfather problem)...Weaker metaphysical commitments don't guarantee survival against principled obje...Weaker metaphysical commitments require fewer controversial assumptions, making ...