Humans retain the potential to influence their fate, particularly in the near future
Photo: iStock In the early 19th century, the prevailing belief about the Universe was one of Determinism. Determinism, both a scientific and philosophical concept, posited that every event in the Universe was governed by prior causes or conditions; given identical initial conditions and the laws of nature, the same outcomes would unfailingly occur on each occasion. This idea was formulated by Laplace, a distinguished French mathematician, physicist, and astronomer.
However, as Determinism also extended into the realm of philosophy, it suggests that our destinies were preordained and unalterable.
Presently, our planet is confronting the crisis of becoming uninhabitable, at least for many species, including humans, within the next few hundred years. Climate change, predominantly driven by human activities such as the emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, is the worst threat.
The rise in sea levels due to the melting of polar ice and glaciers as a consequence of global warming, habitat destruction, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, and the proliferation of invasive species are collectively leading to disrupting ecosystems and diminishing the Earth's capacity to sustain a diverse range of life.
Unsustainable agricultural practices, soil erosion, and land degradation are negatively affecting the fertility of soil, making it increasingly challenging to support agriculture and ensure a continuous food supply for humans. The occurrence of wars further exacerbates these circumstances.
Given the deterministic notion of cause and effect, the question arises: can we alter the current trajectory?
In the early 20th century, a revolutionary discipline in physics, known as quantum mechanics, came into being. Quantum mechanics introduced intrinsic probabilistic behaviour at the sub-atomic level, asserting that the precise position, momentum, or other properties of particles could not be predicted with absolute certainty.
Instead, it provided probabilities for various outcomes. In 1924, Louis De Broglie introduced the concept of Wave-Particle Duality, revealing how particles, such as electrons, displayed both particle and wave-like characteristics.
In 1927, Werner Heisenberg formulated the uncertainty principle, which established inherent limits on the simultaneous precision of certain pairs of physical properties, like position and momentum. Erwin Schrödinger’s development of the Schrödinger wave equation in 1926 became a fundamental equation of quantum mechanics, describing the behaviour of quantum systems.
Though quantum effects are not evident on a macroscopic scale, the macroscopic world may also be shaped by quantum phenomena, implying that probabilistic behaviour is intrinsic to nature. A crucial example of this is the quantum fluctuation that occurred within a fraction of a second, 10-36 to 10-32 seconds, after the Big Bang.
This fluctuation resulted in a slightly different distribution of energy in the early Universe, making it possible for the formation of the Universe we observe today, replete with galaxies, stars, and planets. Had this event not transpired, the Universe would consist of matter and energy with uniform density, devoid of galaxies, stars, and life.
This quantum fluctuation was a purely probabilistic occurrence, one of many possible causal effects in the preceding chain of events. Therefore, our existence today owes itself to the quantum fluctuation that occurred in the early Universe.
Within the human brain, both deterministic and probabilistic processes are at play, as indicated by various research works, notably Ray Guillery’s insights as documented in his book The Brain as a Tool: A Neuroscientist’s Account.
Additionally, Mark F Bear et al in their book Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, highlight the deterministic nature of neural signalling and the role of probabilistic elements, such as neurotransmitter release.
Consequently, creativity itself arises from the interplay of both deterministic and probabilistic processes. Knowledge, skill, rules, conventions, and problem-solving through logical methods predominantly align with determinism, while the generation of novel and original ideas is characterised by unpredictability and non-deterministic outcomes. Creative insights, where ideas suddenly and unexpectedly emerge, are inherently probabilistic. Artistic expression also frequently encompasses probabilistic elements.
Moreover, complex systems often exhibit emergent behaviour, resulting from interactions among the system’s individual components or elements. These emergent properties do not originate from the individual components themselves but emerge from the collective interactions and relationships within the system. Predicting emergent behaviour based solely on an understanding of the individual components is difficult.
Therefore, considering human action, both at the individual and collective levels, as a product of both deterministic and probabilistic processes, we retain the potential to influence our fate, particularly in the near future.
Our fate is closely intertwined with the fate of our planet Earth. While we may not have the power to prevent the sun from evolving into a red giant and engulfing the Earth, this event lies billions of years in the future. Our current concerns are more immediate, focusing on the next few centuries. Our behaviour has the capacity to make Earth either habitable or uninhabitable.
The power to effect change rests in our hands.
So, what can we do? On an individual level, we can assume greater responsibility for our actions to ensure they do not harm the planet. At a collective level, we can engage in meaningful dialogues and debates concerning policies and their implementation, addressing issues that impact us and our planet. Abandoning these efforts would be tantamount to succumbing to determinism, relinquishing our creative potential to safeguard our world and ourselves.
Dibyendu Chaudhuri works with Research and Advocacy unit of Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), a non-profit working in India
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.
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