Multiverse is a prediction OpposingArgument1 #107347 The multiverse is a prediction arising from inflationary cosmology, which can be tested. |
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- CitationsAdd new citationList by: CiterankMapLink[1] From Eternity to Here (book)
Author: Sean M. Carroll - Theoretical physicists, California Institute of Technology Cited by: Peter Baldwin 7:24 AM 13 May 2011 GMT Citerank: (4) 100641The Arrow of Time?A map exploring some issues concerning the nature of time that lie at the boundary of physics and philosophy. The map follows up a talk to the Blackheath Philosophy Forum on 2 April 2011 by Huw Price, Professor of Philosophy and director of the Center for Time at Sydney University.7F1CEB7, 104605Bolztmann's H-theoremIn his 'H-theorem' Boltzmann tried to formally prove that inter-molecular collisions drive gases toward equilibrium, confirming the Second Law (for gases at least). In this approach, he aimed show that it is not just overwhelmingly probable but an exceptionless law like conservation of energy.109FDEF6, 106945Cyclical universeIf we assume that the universe alternates between expanding and collapsing phases, with the entropy gradient reversing during the collapse phase, the need for a time-asymmetric boundary condition is avoided since the evolution of the universe is time-symmetric overall. 959C6EF, 106948No reason for entropy reversalThere is no good reason to suppose that the entropy gradient will reverse and entropy decrease during the collapsing phase of the cycle. It would be extremely improbable for this to happen for just the reasons Boltzmann outlined in his statistical explanation of the Second Law.13EF597B URL: |
Excerpt / Summary "More specifically: The multiverse is not a 'theory'. If it were, it would be perfectly fair to criticize it on the basis of our difficulty in coming up with possible experimental tests. The correct way to think about the multiverse is as a prediction. The theory - such as it is, in its current underdeveloped state - is the marriage of the principles behind quantum field theory to our basic understanding of how curved spacetime works. Starting from those inputs, we don't simply theorize that the universe could have undergone an early period of superfast acceleration; we predict that inflation should occur. If a quantum inflaton field with the right properties finds itself in the right state. Likewise, we don't simply say, "Would't it be cool if there were an infinite number of different universes?" Rather, we predict on the basis of reasonable extrapolations of gravity and quantum field theory that a multiverse really should exist.
The prediction that we live in a multiverse is, as far as we can tell, untestable. (Although, who knows? Scientists have come up with remarkably clever ideas before.) But that misses the point. The multiverse is part of a larger, more comprehensive structure. The question should be not "How can we test whether there is a multiverse?" but "How can we test the theories that predict the multiverse should exist?" Right now we don't know how to se those theories to make a falsifiable prediction. But there's no reason to think that we can't, in principle, do so." p. 372 |