Fine-Tuning in the Physical Universe

An overview of fine-tuning arguments in physics, for students and researchers in physics and philosophy.

David Sloan (Edited by), Rafael Alves Batista (Edited by), Michael Townsen Hicks (Edited by), Roger Davies (Edited by)

9781108484541, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 October 2020

568 pages
25 x 17.4 x 3.1 cm, 1.19 kg

'… the questions posed here are of strong interest to many … Recommended' C. Palma, Choice

Is the universe fine-tuned for complexity, life, or something else? This comprehensive overview of fine-tuning arguments in physics, with contributions from leading researchers in their fields, sheds light on this often used but seldom understood topic. Each chapter reviews a specific subject in modern physics, such as dark energy, inflation, or solar system formation, and discusses whether any parameters in our current theories appear to be fine-tuned and, if so, to what degree. Connections and differences between these fine-tuning arguments are made clear, and detailed mathematical derivations of various fine-tuned parameters are given. This accessible yet precise introduction to fine-tuning in physics will aid students and researchers across astrophysics, atomic and particle physics and cosmology, as well as all those working at the intersections of physics and philosophy.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Fine-Tuning, Complexity, and Life in the Multiverse Mario Livio and Martin Rees
2. Hierarchy of Fine-Structure Constants Bernard Carr
Part II. Cosmological Fine-Tunings: 3. Naturalness, fine-tuning, and observer selection in cosmology John A. Peacock
4. Cosmic Inflation: Trick or Treat? Jerome Martin
5. Is the Universal Matter- Anti-matter Asymmetry Fine tuned? Gary Steigman and Robert J. Scherrer
6. Structure Formation Adrianne Slyz
Part III. Fine-tuning in Particle and Nuclear Physics: 7. Nuclear physics and its impact on primordial and stellar nucleosynthesis Jean-Philippe Uzan
8. Fine-Tunings at Particle Scales Giulia Zanderighi
9. Dark Matter Edward W. Kolb
Part IV. Fine-tuning for life: 10. Fine-tuning: from stars to galaxies formation Joseph Silk
11. How Special Is the Solar System? Mario Livio
12. On the Temporal Habitability of Our Universe
13. Climbing up the theories of Nature: Fine-Tuning and Biological Molecules Abraham Loeb.

Subject Areas: Particle & high-energy physics [PHP], Cosmology & the universe [PGK], Philosophy of science [PDA]