Science and Ultimate Reality: Quantum Theory, Cosmology, and ComplexityJohn D. Barrow, P. C. W. Davies, Charles L. Harper This volume provides a fascinating snapshot of the future of physics, covering fundamental physics, at the frontiers of research. It comprises a wide variety of contributions from leading thinkers in the field, inspired by the pioneering work of John A. Wheeler. Quantum theory represents a unifying theme within the book, along with topics such as the nature of physical reality, the arrow of time, models of the universe, superstrings, gravitational radiation, quantum gravity and cosmic inflation. Attempts to formulate a final unification of physics are discussed, along with the existence of hidden dimensions of space, space-time singularities, hidden cosmic matter, and the strange world of quantum technology. |
Contents
John Archibald Wheeler and the clash of ideas | 3 |
An historians tribute to John Archibald Wheeler and scientific speculation through the ages | 25 |
The heritage of Heraclitus John Archibald Wheeler and the itch to speculate | 27 |
Quantum reality theory | 43 |
Why is nature described by quantum theory? | 45 |
Thoughtexperiments in honor of John Archibald Wheeler | 72 |
It from qubit | 90 |
The wave function it or bit? | 103 |
Big questions in cosmology | 361 |
Cosmic inflation and the arrow of time | 363 |
Cosmology and immutability | 402 |
Inflation quantum cosmology and the anthropic principle | 426 |
Parallel universes | 459 |
Quantum theories of gravity results and prospects | 492 |
A genuinely evolving universe | 528 |
Planckscale models of the universe | 550 |
Quantum Darwinism and envariance | 121 |
Using qubits to learn about it | 138 |
Quantum gravity as an ordinary gauge theory | 153 |
The Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics | 167 |
Quantum reality experiment | 199 |
Why the quantum? It from bit? A participatory universe? Three farreaching challenges from John Archibald Wheeler and their relation to experiment | 201 |
Speakable and unspeakable past and future | 221 |
Conceptual tensions between quantum mechanics and general relativity are there experimental consequences? | 254 |
Breeding nonlocal Schrodinger cats a thoughtexperiment to explore the quantumclassical boundary | 280 |
Quantum erasing the nature of reality or perhaps the reality of nature? | 306 |
Quantum feedback and the quantumclassical transition | 329 |
What quantum computers may tell us about quantum mechanics | 345 |
Implications of additional spatial dimensions for questions in cosmology | 564 |
Emergence life and related topics | 575 |
Emergence us from it | 577 |
True complexity and its associated ontology | 607 |
The three origins cosmos life and mind | 637 |
Autonomous agents | 654 |
To see a world in a grain of sand | 667 |
Science and Ultimate Reality Program Committees | 691 |
Young Researchers Competition in honor of John Archibald Wheeler for physics graduate students postdoctoral fellows and young faculty | 694 |
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Common terms and phrases
apparatus arrow atom axioms behavior Big Bang black hole Bohr brane Cambridge University Press causal cavity classical coherent collapse complex concept cosmic cosmological constant coupling decoherence defined degrees of freedom density described detector dimensions discussed dynamical effects Einstein electron emergence energy entangled entropy environment equation equilibrium evolution example existence experiment experimental fact feedback fluctuations fundamental geometry graviton Hamiltonian idea infinite inflation inflationary initial conditions interaction interference interferometer John Archibald Wheeler laws of physics Lett Linde loop quantum gravity Lorentz low-energy matter measurement microscopic multiverse nature observed operator optical parameters phase photon Phys physicists polarization possible potential predictions principle problem properties quantization quantum computer quantum field theory quantum fluid quantum mechanics quantum system quantum theory qubits question radiation reality relativity Schrödinger Science and Ultimate spacetime spatial spin foam string theory superposition supersymmetry symmetry transformations vector wave function Zurek