Multiverse Theories
A Philosophical Perspective

Intersecting physics and philosophy of science, this book outlines the philosophical challenge to theoretical physics in a measured style.

Simon Friederich (Author)

9781108487122, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 January 2021

210 pages
25 x 17.3 x 1.5 cm, 0.55 kg

'… Friederich makes a significant up-to-date contribution to the ongoing de-bate surrounding the possible existence of a multiverse, a gigantic, usually infinite, collection of universes. He professes to do so as an unbiased philosopher with no axe to grind, and his treatment does indeed seem a very fair assessment of different sides of the debate.' Rodney Holder, Science and Christian Belief

If the laws of nature are fine-tuned for life, can we infer other universes with different laws? How could we even test such a theory without empirical access to those distant places? Can we believe in the multiverse of the Everett interpretation of quantum theory or in the reality of other possible worlds, as advocated by philosopher David Lewis? At the intersection of physics and philosophy of science, this book outlines the philosophical challenge to theoretical physics in a measured, well-grounded manner. The origin of multiverse theories are explored within the context of the fine-tuning problem and a systematic comparison between the various different multiverse models are included. Cosmologists, high energy physicists, and philosophers including graduate students and researchers will find a systematic exploration of such questions in this important book.

Preface
Part I. Setting the Stage: 1. Introduction
2. The fine-tuning considerations
3. Fine-tuning for life and design
Part II. Fine-tuning for Life and the Multiverse: 4. The standard fine-tuning argument
5. Problems with priors
6. A new fine-tuning argument
Part III. Testing Multiverse Theories: 7. Testing multiverse theories: approach
8. Approaching practice
9. Puzzles of self-locating belief
Part IV. Wider Still and Wilder: 10. Other multiverses
11. Outlook
References
Subject index
Author index.

Subject Areas: Relativity physics [PHR], Cosmology & the universe [PGK], Theoretical & mathematical astronomy [PGC], Philosophy of science [PDA]