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Universe and Universes
| Philosophy 101 |
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Universe and Universes |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?ch...EA5809EC5880000 Regardless of whether there really are alternate universes out there as this article points to, or even if it is true, I want to point out that it doesn't really matter if you describe the universe as one or multiple. Universe, on at least one description, is just everything there is so it's still a whole with many parts, it's just a whole lot bigger than we generally imagine. So what's the big deal? Honestly, I don't know, but we do have some no-nonsense realists out there (and, let's be honest, these forums wouldn't be half as fun if they weren't around) who say things like, "There is a world and there is a way that it is." On the face of it, who would disagree with that? There's really nothing wrong with it. It's a perfectly useful description and as a working assumption it has helped us do many things. But it is still nothing more than a description. If we change it to "There are worlds and there are there are ways in which they are" what really changes? Not much, except that it opens up the possibility of multiple descriptions for multiple worlds and, perhaps, multiple descriptions of singular worlds, and singular descriptions of multiple worlds. The only problem I see is when words like 'just' ,'only','merely' slip into the conversation and we start ridiculing others who believe anything different from this one description. Here, we confuse two perfectly good descriptions with a right description and a wrong one. No one is denying that we can get things wrong and the people do get things wrong. It doesn't mean anything goes, it only means that there are more descriptions that are perfectly legitimate and that, maybe, we should be looking for more descriptions, not less. The idea of alternate universes, multiple worlds etc. is often seen as a new, exotic and exciting idea, but historically, it's a frighteningly old idea. Most (Dare I say all?) cultures accept and never doubt, not just the possibility of other worlds, but the reality of them. We live in a world and we live in worlds and there is no contradiction there because we are talking about descriptions, not the world(s) in and of itself. And how do you get out of, or why would you want to get out of, this ability to describe? |
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| © Copyright 2003 Brad - All Rights Reserved | |||
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Brad: This takes me back to my comic book days. But why do I always feel as though I must read between the lines with you? I think I understand your point. When discussing the existence of a multi-verse vs. a unified, singular universe vs. something in-between (I have something like Monadology in mind here – the existence of an infinite number of possible universes with the "best of possible worlds" prevailing), it is more productive to focus on the merits of the theory posited than to attach value judgments (just, only, merely, etc.) to any exceptions we take to the theory. At least before we've taken the time to weigh the credibility of the theory on its merits. Although, you do have to admit that Voltaire’s value judgments of Leibniz were pretty darn entertaining.  Seriously, all this assumes both positions are “perfectly legitimate” and, when speculating about something you cannot see or observe, how much you must assume to be true in order for the respective position to be plausible.Jim P.S. Isn’t “perfectly” a value judgment also? |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
That link didn't work for me! Guess I'll go check in with my alternate universe site.  Hey, belly button? are you open for business? I'm searching for some profound truth today. |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
It would appear Brad that the article that you linked to is gone. I don't know what it said but, I think that the problem between Universe and Universes you pose isn't necessarily the way it's looked at by most physisists. That is to say -- that space only exists in this universe. Or, rather, normal space as we understand it -- in the three dimensions we can easily observe with coordinates and with the passage of time being the fourth. The 'normal' space we understand is comprised of more matter than antimatter and has specific properties to the strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions that are easily distinguishible. 'H' space -- which is what lies 'between' (for lack of a better word) universes (so named after Higgs) makes no distinction between these forces -- they are all equal or non-existent. It would appear that pumping enough energy into 'N' space could create a small region of 'H' space -- but -- it's important to distinguish between the two. 'N' space is created by 'boiling' 'H' space -- and other 'Universes' are other bubbles in the 'H' space sea -- but they don't exist at specific coordinates the way we understand it. We're trapped in this universe anyway -- just as matter becomes trapped in the gravitational feild of the black hole -- and -- judging by the 'flatness' (the condition of the universe being ever expanding and teetering on the brink of collapse infinitely) it is also postulated that our universe is trapped on the surface of a black hole. There could equally be other universes inside our normal space -- trapped on the surfaces of black holes inside our universe -- the Horton Hears a Who syndrome. The greater 'sea' of 'H' space is sometimes referred to as the Mega-verse -- as Jim mentioned -- and beyond that? But -- I'm thinking in Normal space/time dimensions -- a paradigm I'm trapped in -- so -- for now -- beyond that -- I propose the Meta-verse. [This message has been edited by Local Rebel (06-02-2003 01:42 PM).] |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
One more thought -- It's nice to be trapped in this universe because if we could 'slide' into another one it might have more anti-matter than matter and we'd be annhilated -- or other properties might be more askew than that -- there's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home. |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
LR: Try this one. http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&articleID=000F1EDD-B48A-1E90-8EA5809E C5880000 So I guess what you are saying is that, in a way, we do live in the "best of possible worlds." The best of possible worlds for us, at any rate. I have to admit that I never considered that Leibniz could have been right. I guess I shouldn't have read "Candide" first.  Jim [This message has been edited by jbouder (06-02-2003 03:24 PM).] |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Thanks Jim, That worked a lot better. I was previously unfamiliar with the 'Level 1' math. My initial reaction is ROTFLMAO . Pop science. Ya gotta love it. If it will make you feel any better about my religious stance I'll be agnostic about dopplegangers too. heh. [This message has been edited by Local Rebel (06-03-2003 11:46 PM).] |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
I don't know, LR. A doppleganger could be useful. I just need to find the alternate Jim who is the multi-millionaire, workaholic philanthropist. Of course there is the problem of bringing him here from a gazillion light years away. Jim [This message has been edited by jbouder (06-04-2003 10:19 AM).] |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Isn't it frightening that somewhere there may be a universe where I'm the president of the United States? Or even one where Saddam Hussein actually had WMDs? |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Of course we failed to consider the most compelling evidence of an alternate universe right here inside this one -- Fox News |
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oceanvu2 Senior Member
since 2007-02-24
Posts 1066Santa Monica, California, USA |
A problem with theoretical physicists is that just when they think they've got it, what they "think" is all they've got, and may have nothing to do with "it" at all. And then they use convoluted logic to "prove" what they already think to be so. Sometimes it works out. Einstein's notions of the integrity of time and space proved out. String theory hasn't. Makes for fun serious or pop discussion, though. Or, one could just trip over a rock. Jimbeaux |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
According to the 'best intelligence available at this time' the WMD now in Syria came from Iraq. Imagine that. |
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