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Can do better OpposingArgument1 #107152 A low entropy early universe would be extremely improbable. Given this, it is natural to seek some explanatory basis for it. By analogy, Callender would have argued for treating the existence of complex life forms as a brute fact, precluding the discovery of evolutionary adaptation.

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The Arrow of Time »The Arrow of Time The 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.☜F1CEB7

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The physics of time »The physics of timeThe physics of time☜Is our subjective sense that time has a direction from past to future reflected in impersonal physical processes and laws? Is it better - from the impersonal viewpoint - to look asymmetries in time rather than a direction (to the future) of time?☜FFB597

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The thermodynamic arrow »The thermodynamic arrowThe thermodynamic arrow☜The Second Law of Thermodynamics implies an arrow of time in the sense that the entropy (or disorder) of an isolated system such as the whole universe never decreases - it either increases or remains constant.☜59C6EF

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Why do we see an entropy gradient? »Why do we see an entropy gradient?Why do we see an entropy gradient?☜We find ourselves in an observable universe in which entropy increases consistently in one direction, thereby showing time asymmetry - an arrow of time. Yet the vast majority of underlying dynamical processes are time-symmetric. How to account for this? Two broad approaches are considered here.☜FFB597

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Asymmetric boundary condition »Asymmetric boundary conditionAsymmetric boundary condition☜We see entropy increasing because: 1. An isolated system in a less than maximal entropy state will spontaneously evolve toward higher entropy. 2. We inhabit a universe (or part thereof) at less than maximal entropy. Both must be true for the explanation to work.☜59C6EF

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Past hypothesis »Past hypothesisPast hypothesis☜We inhabit a universe - or part thereof - characterized by a low-entropy past that has enabled the evolution of intelligent observers to occur. This together with Boltzmanns probabilistic argument (see sibling node) implies entropy will increase over time toward thermal equilibrium.☜9FDEF6

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Why low entropy in the past? »Why low entropy in the past?Why low entropy in the past?☜How do we account for the low entropy of the early universe reflected in the extreme - but not perfect - homogeneity of the distribution of matter and energy shortly after the Big Bang? When gravity is prominent - as in the early universe - a smooth distribution is unstable and of low entropy.☜FFB597

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A brute fact »A brute factA brute fact☜In the paper cited below, philosopher Craig Callender argues that the low-entropy past is a brute fact that does not require any further explanation. He suggests that certain facts - including the low entropy past - may be just axiomatic in the same way as regularities classed as physical laws are.☜59C6EF

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Can do betterCan do better☜A low entropy early universe would be extremely improbable. Given this, it is natural to seek some explanatory basis for it. By analogy, Callender would have argued for treating the existence of complex life forms as a brute fact, precluding the discovery of evolutionary adaptation.☜EF597B

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Link[1] Low entropy extremely improbable

Author: Sean M. Carroll - Theoretical phyicist, California Institute of Technology
Cited by: Peter Baldwin 6:57 AM 12 May 2011 GMT
Citerank: (1) 105395A brute factIn the paper cited below, philosopher Craig Callender argues that the low-entropy past is a brute fact that does not require any further explanation. He suggests that certain facts - including the low entropy past - may be just axiomatic in the same way as regularities classed as physical laws are.959C6EF
URL:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2010/03/02/from-eternity-to-book-club-chapter-eight/

Excerpt / Summary

"While it is absolutely possible that the low entropy of the early universe is simply a brute fact, never to be explained by any dynamics or underlying principles, it seems crazy to me not to try. If we picked a state of the universe randomly out of a hat, the chances we would end up with something like our early universe are unimaginably small. To most of us, that’s a crucial clue to something deep about the universe: it’s early state was not picked randomly out of a hat! Something should explain it. We can’t be completely certain that such an explanation exists, but cosmology is hard enough without choosing to ignore the most blatant clues that nature is sticking under our noses."

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Entered by:- Peter Baldwin
NodeID: #107152
Node type: OpposingArgument
Entry date (GMT): 5/12/2011 6:56:00 AM
Last edit date (GMT): 8/4/2011 4:47:00 AM
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