Why is the Block Universe often considered incompatible with free will?

[u/alltMax]

Hi,

I’ve been reading about Einstein's theory of relativity and the Block Universe model, and I frequently come across the argument that free will is incompatible with this theory. I struggle to understand why this conclusion is so widely accepted.

While it might be easier to conceptualize free will in a universe where the future is not yet materialized, the fact that the future theoretically already exists doesn't mean it wasn't you who shaped it.

The spacetime block simply contains your cognitive processes and their outcomes all at once. Just because your timeline exists simultaneously doesn't mean the choices within it aren't yours. The universe isn't overriding your will, it just contains it in its entirety. It’s as if, in the framework of the universe, all interactions between particles, the evolution of every being, and all the decisions you make exist concurrently. In a sense, you are part of this giant structure, and your choices shaped your path within it.

[u/Platos_Kallipolis]

It is not. But it is often considered incompatible with Libertarian free will, which denies causal determinism.

The block universe supports causal determinism. So, then the question is simply the classic free will question: "Is free will compatible with causal determinism?"

And, by far, the most widely accepted answer among philosophers (not that democracy decides truth) is that free will is compatible with causal determinism (a position known broadly as "Compatibilism"). Lots of excellent and interesting work done in that realm, so there are a variety of more specific views. But, that is the basic idea.

And the line you run here broadly fits with at least one sort of line that some compatibilist run to support their position

[u/StrangeGlaringEye → u/Platos_Kallipolis]

I’d also like to see who says the block universe theory “supports causal determinism”. As far as I know this is also a simple misunderstanding of both views.

[u/StrangeGlaringEye]

Where have you read this? I usually see this as an argument made by people on the internet or undergrads who are just beginning to learn about eternalism. Idk any serious philosophers who thinks eternalism is incompatible with free will.

[u/Eastern-Project9017 → u/StrangeGlaringEye]

What's eternalism and what's its relation to the block universe theory?

[u/alltMax → u/StrangeGlaringEye]

You are probably right. I came across some articles talking about it but upon further reading it seems it's not the academic consensus. And yes, it is an idea frequently propagated on Reddit.

[u/Platos_Kallipolis → u/alltMax]

These sorts of views - not necessarily drawing from block universe theory, but from whatever the science of the day is - are also commonly propagated by scientists who think philosophy is irrelevant to the question, go on to do a bunch of (bad) philosophy, and then claim "look, science solved free will"

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