Difference between revisions of "Multiverse hypothesis"
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| − | The '''multiverse theory''' asserts that multiple universes exist, and it is a consequence of one of the interpretations of [[quantum mechanics]]. Its origins lie in a 1957 thesis by [[Hugh Everett]], who offered a 'many worlds' interpretation (MWI) of some of the phenomena observed in quantum mechanical situations, such as the [[double-slit experiment]]. | + | The '''multiverse theory''' asserts that multiple universes exist, and it is a consequence of one of the interpretations of [[quantum mechanics]]. Its origins lie in a 1957 thesis by [[Hugh Everett]], who offered a 'many worlds' interpretation (MWI) of some of the phenomena observed in quantum mechanical situations, such as the [[double-slit experiment]]. The multiverse hypothesis has no empirical evidence supporting it and attempts to avoid the issue of the evidence supporting the fine-tuning of the universe (see: [[Anthropic principle]]). |
In most formulations of the theory, the constituent "universes" are identical, in that they have the same physical laws and the same values for the fundamental constants but exist in different states, and are arranged so that no information can pass between them. The state of the entire multiverse is constituted by a [[quantum superposition]] of states of the constituent universes and is described by a single universal [[wave function]]. In a recent work, [[The Fabric of Reality]] (1997), [[David Deutsch]] argues that the universe as we experience it consists of an infinity of physically possible worlds all co-existing in all possible times, and that what we regard as reality is simply an individual mind's rendering of his or her journey through a sequence of individual panes of the multiverse. | In most formulations of the theory, the constituent "universes" are identical, in that they have the same physical laws and the same values for the fundamental constants but exist in different states, and are arranged so that no information can pass between them. The state of the entire multiverse is constituted by a [[quantum superposition]] of states of the constituent universes and is described by a single universal [[wave function]]. In a recent work, [[The Fabric of Reality]] (1997), [[David Deutsch]] argues that the universe as we experience it consists of an infinity of physically possible worlds all co-existing in all possible times, and that what we regard as reality is simply an individual mind's rendering of his or her journey through a sequence of individual panes of the multiverse. | ||
Revision as of 19:50, December 26, 2015
The multiverse theory asserts that multiple universes exist, and it is a consequence of one of the interpretations of quantum mechanics. Its origins lie in a 1957 thesis by Hugh Everett, who offered a 'many worlds' interpretation (MWI) of some of the phenomena observed in quantum mechanical situations, such as the double-slit experiment. The multiverse hypothesis has no empirical evidence supporting it and attempts to avoid the issue of the evidence supporting the fine-tuning of the universe (see: Anthropic principle).
In most formulations of the theory, the constituent "universes" are identical, in that they have the same physical laws and the same values for the fundamental constants but exist in different states, and are arranged so that no information can pass between them. The state of the entire multiverse is constituted by a quantum superposition of states of the constituent universes and is described by a single universal wave function. In a recent work, The Fabric of Reality (1997), David Deutsch argues that the universe as we experience it consists of an infinity of physically possible worlds all co-existing in all possible times, and that what we regard as reality is simply an individual mind's rendering of his or her journey through a sequence of individual panes of the multiverse.
Related ideas are Richard Feynman's multiple histories interpretation, Dieter Zeh's many-minds interpretation, and David Kellogg Lewis's modal realism theory of possible worlds.
The multiverse is suggested as a possible explanation for the "bumps and wiggles" in temperature observed for cosmic background radiation, and for "dark flow" (the streaming of galaxy clusters across space).[1]
