The question of determinism and the possibility of perceiving past, present, and future as a whole depends on the nature of time and the properties of higher-dimensional beings, assuming they exist. While I can provide some insights, it's important to note that our understanding of higher dimensions is speculative, and there is no consensus on their existence or the precise nature of their properties.
In classical physics, determinism suggests that if the initial state of a system and its governing laws are known, the future evolution of the system can be determined with certainty. However, quantum mechanics introduces inherent uncertainty at the microscopic level through phenomena like wave-particle duality and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
In the context of quantum mechanics, it's crucial to distinguish between determinism and predictability. Quantum mechanics is inherently probabilistic, meaning that the behavior of particles and systems is described by probability distributions rather than precise predictions. This introduces a fundamental limit on our ability to predict future outcomes.
Assuming determinism holds true at a fundamental level, and higher-dimensional beings exist, it is conceivable that they may perceive time differently than we do. If they could access additional dimensions beyond our familiar three spatial dimensions and one temporal dimension, they might have a different perspective on time.
However, it's important to consider that our understanding of time is deeply rooted in our human experience and the physical laws that govern our reality. Speculating about the perceptions of higher-dimensional beings is challenging, as their understanding of time may operate under entirely different principles beyond our current comprehension.
In theoretical physics, various models propose additional dimensions, such as string theory or M-theory. However, these models are highly speculative and currently lack experimental confirmation. Until we have a more comprehensive understanding of higher-dimensional physics, it remains difficult to make definitive statements about how beings in higher dimensions might perceive time or their ability to view past, present, and future as a single entity.
Overall, while determinism and higher-dimensional beings offer interesting possibilities to explore, their exact implications for perceiving time and timelines remain uncertain and speculative at this point.