Novikov Self-Consistency Principle
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
The Novikov self-consistency principle (Russian: Принцип самосогласованности Новикова) is a principle regarding time paradoxes proposed by Russian theoretical physicist Igor Dmitriyevich Novikov in the 1980s. It states that a person can travel back in time, but cannot thereby change the course of history.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
The Novikov self-consistency principle (Russian: Принцип самосогласованности Новикова) is a principle regarding time paradoxes proposed by Russian theoretical physicist Igor Dmitriyevich Novikov in the 1980s. It states that a person can travel back in time, but cannot thereby change the course of history.
Anchor fast decisions
The act of traveling back in time is itself part of history, so it is impossible to create a paradox that changes history; the universe ensures self-consistency through physical constraints, and the 'change' by free will is actually a predetermined part of history.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/2Practice this model in one real situation:
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more
Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%AF%BA%E7%BB%B4%E7%A7%91%E5%A4%AB%E8%87%AA%E6%B4%BD%E6%80%A7%E5%8E%9F%E5%88%99verified
PRIVATE NOTES · Only visible to you
SAVED Q&A
ENTRY Q&A · Private saving available
Ask with a clear boundary
thinkingmodels answers from published entry context only.
Your question is sent to thinkingmodels. The answer uses public entry context only.
RELATED MODELS