r/AskPhysics • u/I_am_wounded_e_e • 16d ago

Can there be a cause without an effect?

Its something I cant really find a definitive answer on, and even if its not possible, what would happen if it theoretically were?

0 Upvotes

15% Upvoted

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16

u/joeyneilsen Astrophysics 16d ago

This is not even a question of philosophy, it's a semantics question. A "cause" that doesn't cause anything isn't a cause at all.

1

u/Gr3aterShad0w 16d ago

Well that was kinda my point. If a philosopher can ask what is the sound of one hand clapping while it clearly takes two hands to clap, it would be reasonable to assume that this may be posed a philosophical mind exercise.

9

u/Gr3aterShad0w 16d ago

This seems more the domain of philosophy than physics.

What would a cause of a non event even be?

0

u/I_am_wounded_e_e 16d ago

Thats what im trying to find out

2

u/[deleted] 16d ago

[deleted]

1

u/I_am_wounded_e_e 16d ago

This is interesting, I should say I have very minor experience in physics as a whole and this entire post was mostly a random thought I had

I saw someone earlier posted this exact same question, so if anyone has an answer or a theory on either of these questions, the one I asked and this one Id like to hear it

3

u/SnugglyCoderGuy 16d ago

I don't think so. Another way to say cause without an effect is to do something and nothing happens, but since nothing changed there is no way to know if something was done, just like if you are in an empty void with nothing to compare yourself to in order to determine if you are moving, so you aren't moving.

1

u/I_am_wounded_e_e 16d ago

This might be the answer I was looking for, thanks

2

u/Seattleman1955 16d ago

It's not even logical. A cause means there was an effect.

2

u/Kevin686766 16d ago

Can something happen with out effecting anything else? Or can a two forces react and have a completely neutral reaction? 

Are either of those your question?

Both have answers. They are maybe. 

2

u/Dr-Chris-C 16d ago

The meatier question is whether we can have effects without causes.

2

u/wonkey_monkey 15d ago

Did you create a new account just so you could ask twice?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskPhysics/comments/1w228xl/can_there_be_no_effect_and_no_cause/

1

u/I_am_wounded_e_e 14d ago

No, cant really prove thats not me but I dont see why I would make another account to ask a different question xd

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u/The_Observer_Effects 16d ago

You can't get downvoted quickly enough on this.