Question about a quote I heard

[Eru_JRRT]

A long time ago I heard a quote that went along the lines of "if we knew the location and velocity of every particle in the universe we could predict every action and reaction from now until the end of time." I'm thinking this idea may have come from Issac Newton as his third law would seem to have a connection it.

My question is if any of you know where this quote/idea originated from? I'd like to use the idea in a personal project of mine but have no where to source it from.

I would really appreciate any help with this.

 

[jedishrfu]

Laplace:

http://www.bobkwebsite.com/whatishup.html

 

[telecomguy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laplace
In 1814, Laplace published what is usually known as the first articulation of causal or scientific determinism:[39]


We may regard the present state of the universe as the effect of its past and the cause of its future. An intellect which at a certain moment would know all forces that set nature in motion, and all positions of all items of which nature is composed, if this intellect were also vast enough to submit these data to analysis, it would embrace in a single formula the movements of the greatest bodies of the universe and those of the tiniest atom; for such an intellect nothing would be uncertain and the future just like the past would be present before its eyes.

—Pierre Simon Laplace, A Philosophical Essay on Probabilities[40]

 

[Drakkith]

Note that in the light of Quantum Mechanics this quote isn't accurate anymore.

 

[pmacias]

The quote you are referring to is known as Laplace's demon, which is a thought experiment proposed by French mathematician and astronomer Pierre-Simon Laplace in the 19th century. It is based on the principles of determinism, which suggest that all events in the universe are caused by previous events and that everything is predetermined.

Laplace's demon states that if an entity were to know the precise location and velocity of every particle in the universe, and had enough computational power to analyze all the data, it could accurately predict the future of the universe. This concept is closely related to Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

However, it is important to note that Laplace's demon is a theoretical concept and has not been proven to be possible in reality. The uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics and the chaotic nature of complex systems make it impossible to know the exact state of every particle in the universe.

In terms of sourcing the quote, you can reference Laplace's work "A Philosophical Essay on Probabilities" where he discusses this idea in detail. I hope this helps with your project.