In this post I will discussed how the same boundary condition that is being used to mathematically derive a background independent quantum gravity (by causal dynamical triangulation theorists) might, in the context of the time symmetric formulation of quantum mechanics (TSQM) of Drs. Yakir Aharonov and Jeffery Tollaksen, be used to introduce a form of "teleology" into the time evolution of creation while preserving "free will" within a deterministic matrix of preexistent contingency.
Please consider that in quantum mechanics, the initial quantum state of any system evolves over time into a probability distribution of all possible states consistent with the initial boundary condition. If an initial state is assumed in which all possible states and spacetime geometries are subsumed, a probability distribution of possible states, including all observable states, will necessarily arise. Applying time symmetry, this probability distribution will simultaneously appear as the set of all futures and the set all histories which can arise from and lead to this common point of origination. As this point of origination constitutes both the system's beginning and ending boundary condition, all actualizations must occur within this contextuality.
If the big bang is then understood to have occurred as an actualization event within this preexistent contextuality, it would constitute the initial boundary condition for our universe and, inter alia, embody all of the laws of physics pursuant to which our universe could thereafter evolve. All subsequent actualizations would then be strongly bounded by this and the set of all immediately preceding actualizations; but would also be subtly influenced by a future unity toward which all of our possible futures would necessarily converge.
This model introduces a kind of "determinism" into the time-evolution of Creation. The beauty of the Model is that "determinism" comprised of contingency preserves "Free Will" within that contingency. In other words, human choice exists within a set of potentials consistent with the applicable boundary conditions. From the frame of reference of the scientist, it is an entirely "natural phenomena" and, from the frame of reference of the theologian, the centripetal convergence toward unity may be thought to be "of God".
There are two key assumptions that require further explanation.
The first assumption relates to the systems' initial state. For the purposes of this conjecture, I have assumed that the initial state is a superposition of all possible states, to include all possible space time geometries. As noted in Wikipedia, "Quantum superposition is the fundamental law of quantum mechanics. It defines the collection of all possible states that an object can have. The principle of superposition states that if the world can be in any configuration, any possible arrangement of particles or fields, and if the world could also be in another configuration, then the world can also be in a state which is a superposition of the two...."
Additionally, my assumption that the initial state is a superposition of all possible states is equivalent to that made by a promising quantum gravity theory called "Causal Dynamical Triangulation".
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gravity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causal_dynamical_triangulation and http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0509010
As you will note from the cited resources, Causal Dynamical Triangulation (CDT) also assumes an equivalent superposition of all possible spacetime geometries. You will also see that Causal Dynamical Triangulation (CDT) is the third leading quantum gravity theory behind string theory and loop quantum gravity. Although CDT is way too nascent for any predictions about its ultimate success to be made, CDT appears to be emergent, with both string and Loop Quantum Gravity theorists taking a harder look at it in the last few years.
The second critical assumption involves time symmetry. In this regard, please note that virtually all of the laws of physics are time symmetric. I wish the consideration of time symmetry in the context of a final boundary condition were entirely original to me. It is not. For example, Roger Penrose, in the article titled "The Big Bang and its thermodynamic legacy, wrote:
"Normally, one thinks in terms of systems evolving into the future, from data specified in the past, where the particular evolution takes place is determined by differential equations. ... One does not, on the other hand, tend to think of evolving these same equations into the past, despite the fact that the dynamical equations of classical and quantum mechanics are symmetrical under a reversal of the direction of time! As far as the mathematics is concerned, one can just as well specify final conditions, at some remote future time, and evolve backward in time. Mathematically, final conditions are just as good as initial ones for determining the evolution of a system." (Quoted from Roger Penrose, The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Universe, Chapter 27, "The Big Bang and its thermodynamic legacy", p. 687)
Additionally, in a paper titled "New Insights on Time-Symmetry in Quantum Mechanics" (See: http://arxiv.org/pdf/0706.1232 Jun 2007) Yakir Aharonov and Jeffrey Tollaksen have written as follows:
"Up until now we have limited ourselves to the possibility of 2 boundary conditions which obtain their assignment due to selections made before and after a measurement. It is feasible and even suggestive to consider an extension of QM to include both a wavefunction arriving from the past and a second "destiny" wavefunction coming from the future, which are determined by 2 boundary conditions, rather than a measurement and selection. This proposal could solve the issue of the "collapse" of the wavefunction in a new and more natural way: every time a measurement takes place and the possible measurement outcomes decohere, then the future boundary condition simply selects one out of many possible outcomes [35, 32]. It also implies a kind of "teleology" which might prove fruitful in addressing the anthropic and fine-tuning issues [77]. The possibility of a final boundary condition on the universe could be probed experimentally by searching for "quantum miracles" on a cosmological scale. While a "classical miracle" is a rare event that can be explained by a very unusual initial boundary-condition, "Quantum Miracles" are those events which cannot naturally be explained through any special initial boundary-condition, only through initial-and-final boundary-conditions."
Although some prior posts have referenced experiments, I believe it it should be emphasized that several recent studies have quantitatively confirmed predicted outcomes which were unique to the TSQM formulation of quantum mechanics. As these outcomes cannot be explained by the traditional formulations of quantum mechanics, it appears that paradigm shifting "proofs" of TSQM are both beginning to be reported by independent research groups and to be recognized in the popular media. See Discovery Magazine http://discovermagazine.com/2010/apr/01-back-from-the-future
/article_view?b_start%3Aint=0&C
As noted in prior posts in this chain, these and numerous other experimental verifications of TSQM are occurring in the context of "weak measurement" theory and research that itself involves both intriguing explanatory and ontological implications. As examples, please consider the following:
"Experimental joint weak measurement on a photon pair as a probe of Hardy's Paradox" http://arxiv.org/pdf/0810.4229
"Direct observation of Hardy's paradox by joint weak measurement with an entangled photon pair" http://arxiv.org/pdf/0811.1625
"Quantum interference experiments, modular variables and weak measurements" http://arxiv.org/pdf/0910.4227
"Postselected weak measurement beyond the weak value" http://arxiv.org/pdf/0909.2206
"Complete characterization of post-selected quantum statistics using weak measurement tomography" http://arxiv.org/pdf/0907.0533
... and dozens more
