19 augustus 2011

#10 Physical Theories: I think I believe in an INDIVIDUAL MULTIVERSE. Wonderful, mysterious and appropriate.
(quoting and playing with Multiverse from Wikipedia:)
The multiverse 
hypothetical set of multiple possible universes that together comprise everything that exists: the entirety of space, time, matter, and energy as well as the physical laws and constants that describe them
The term was coined in 1895 by philosopher and psychologist William James. The various universes within the multiverse are sometimes called parallel universes.
Multiverses have been hypothesized in cosmology, physics, astronomy, religion, philosophy, transpersonal psychology and fiction, particularly in science fiction and fantasy. In these contexts, parallel universes are also called "alternative universes", "quantum universes", "interpenetrating dimensions", "parallel dimensions", "parallel worlds", "alternative realities", "alternative timelines", and "dimensional planes," among others.
Tegmark's classification
Cosmologist Max Tegmark has provided a taxonomy of universes beyond the familiar observable universe. The levels are arranged such that subsequent levels can be understood to encompass and expand upon previous levels, and they are briefly described below.
Level I: Beyond our cosmological horizon
A generic prediction of chaotic inflation is an infinite ergodic universe, which, being infinite...
An infinite universe will contain an infinite number of Hubble volumes, all having the same physical laws and physical constants. In regard to configurations such as the distribution of matter, almost all will differ from our Hubble volume. However, because there are infinitely many, far beyond the cosmological horizon, there will eventually be Hubble volumes with similar, and even identical, configurations. Our Hubble volume is not special or unique.
Level II: Universes with different physical constants
In the chaotic inflation theory, a variant of the cosmic inflation theory, the multiverse as a whole is stretching and will continue doing so forever, but some regions of space stop stretching and form distinct bubbles, like gas pockets in a loaf of rising bread. Such bubbles are embryonic level I multiverses.
Level III: Many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics
Level IV: Ultimate Ensemble
Cyclic theories
In several theories there is a series of infinite, self-sustaining cycles (for example: an eternity of Big Bang-Big crunches).
Anthropic principle
The concept of other universes has been proposed to explain why our universe seems to be fine-tuned for conscious life as we experience it. If there were a large number (possibly infinite) of different physical laws (or fundamental constants) in as many universes, some of these would have laws that were suitable for stars, planets and life to exist. 
The weak anthropic principle could then be applied to conclude that we would only consciously exist in those universes which were finely tuned for our conscious existence. Thus, while the probability might be extremely small that there is life in most of the universes, this scarcity of life-supporting universes does not imply intelligent design as the only explanation of our existence.
Hinduism
The concept of multiple universes is mentioned many times in Hindu Puranic literature, such as in the Bhagavata Purana:
Because You are unlimited, neither the lords of heaven nor even You Yourself can ever reach the end of Your glories. The countless universes, each enveloped in its shell, are compelled by the wheel of time to wander within You, like particles of dust blowing about in the sky. The śrutis, following their method of eliminating everything separate from the Supreme, become successful by revealing You as their final conclusion (Bhagavata Purana 10.87.41)
Eschatology
Eschatological scenarios may include a new different world after the end time of the current one. For example, Hindu cosmology includes the idea of an infinite cycle of births and deaths and an infinite number of universes with each cycle lasting 8.4 billion years.[28]
Similar eschatological scenarios appear in other religions, in the form of belief in there being a new and different world after the end time of the current one.
See also
Impossible world
  • Modal realism
  • Omniverse
  • Parallel universe (fiction)
  • Philosophy of physics
  • Philosophy of space and time
  • Reductionism
  • Simulated reality
  • The Fabric of Reality
  • As contrary concepts
    • Determinism
    • Fatalism
    • Predestination