Do past events still exist?

In exploring the mysteries of existence, one encounters fascinating concepts like Last Thursdayism and entropy. These ideas challenge our perceptions of reality, memory, and the physical laws governing the universe. Last Thursdayism, in particular, is a philosophical proposition suggesting that the universe could have been created last Thursday, complete with all memories, histories, and artifacts. This concept, though not a widely accepted belief, raises intriguing questions about the nature of evidence and the limitations of our understanding.

The Story of Terry, the Dog Who Played Toto

The story of Terry, the dog who portrayed Toto in the classic film "The Wizard of Oz," serves as an example of how memory and history can be both fragile and enduring. Terry passed away in 1945, and her owner, Carl Spitz, buried her on his ranch. Unfortunately, in 1958, the construction of the Ventura Highway disturbed her grave, and her remains were lost. In 2011, a cenotaph was erected in her honor at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. This memorial, while honoring Terry's legacy, is not her actual grave, highlighting the concept of a cenotaph—an empty tomb commemorating a person or animal not buried at that site.

Understanding Last Thursdayism

Last Thursdayism posits that the universe, along with all our memories and historical records, could have been created last Thursday. This idea is unprovable and unfalsifiable, as any evidence brought against it could simply be part of the fabricated universe created last Thursday. The concept challenges our assumptions about the past and the reliability of our memories and records.

Philosophical Tools: Occam's Razor and Newton's Flaming Laser Sword

To navigate such perplexing philosophical questions, thinkers often employ tools like Occam's Razor and Newton's Flaming Laser Sword. Occam's Razor suggests that when faced with competing hypotheses, one should select the one with the fewest assumptions. Applied to Last Thursdayism, this principle would favor the more conventional understanding that the universe and its history unfolded over billions of years, rather than suddenly coming into existence with a fully formed history.

Newton's Flaming Laser Sword is another philosophical tool, which asserts that if something cannot be settled by experiment, it is not worth debating. This principle helps distinguish between scientific theories, which can be tested and potentially disproven, and philosophical musings, which may not be empirically testable.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Entropy

The discussion naturally transitions to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, a fundamental principle of physics that states energy tends to disperse or spread out over time. This principle, also known as entropy, explains why certain processes occur spontaneously—such as the cooling of hot objects, the deflation of balloons, or the diffusion of perfume in still air.

Entropy is often misconceived as disorder or chaos, but it is more accurately described as the spread of energy. For example, shuffling a deck of cards increases the system's entropy because it involves the dispersal of energy through physical actions, even though the deck's internal energy remains unchanged.

The Ultimate Fate: The Heat Death of the Universe

One of the most profound implications of the Second Law of Thermodynamics is the concept of the Heat Death of the universe. This scenario predicts that eventually, all energy in the universe will be evenly distributed, leading to a state where no more work can be done because no energy gradients exist. This ultimate equilibrium represents the end of all processes and activities, as energy will no longer be able to flow from one place to another.

Legacy and Memory in the Face of Entropy

The exploration of these concepts raises important questions about legacy and memory. How will future generations interpret the remnants of our society? The inevitability of increasing entropy suggests that, over time, many details and records will be lost or distorted. This notion serves as a metaphor for the gradual loss of memory and the fading of individual legacies over time.

Ultimately, while we may not be able to fully preserve our history or ensure that our memories remain intact, understanding concepts like Last Thursdayism and entropy provides a deeper appreciation for the complexity of existence. It reminds us that, in the grand scheme of the universe, our contributions—whether to history or to the increasing entropy—are part of a vast, unfolding story that transcends individual lifetimes.