CON Artifacts

Neil Turok believes in the power of theoretical physics, but he sees a big problem with the permutations of inflationary theory that have spawned the idea that we live in multiverse. In this selection from the 2015 World Science Festival program “To Infinity and Beyond: The Accelerating Universe,” Turok explains why he’s unsatisfied with the chaos of inflation- and offers hints toward a more elegant explanation of the universe.

Matt O’Dowd explains why there’s a problem with the Big Bang Theory.

Multiple universes? The idea sounds astounding. Our universe is immense by itself. How could there be more than one? Interview with Paul Davies

 

How does the CON side of the multiverse theory back up their claims?

Similarly to the PRO side of the multiverse debate, the CON side backs up their claims by using an appeal to authority and credibility, and also an appeal to logic and reasoning.

When it comes to the multiverse controversy, many theorists such as the physicists in the above videos use an appeal to authority and credibility in order to get their point across. With background knowledge and PhD’s from some of the world’s highest level education, it’s not hard for the theorists to convince the audience to trust them. Whether it be defending the multiverse claims or making opposing viewpoints (such as the artifacts above), an appeal to authority aids in means of persuasion.

Another important thing to note is that some aspects of the theories such as inflation theory, string theory, and the big bang theory can be proven to be down right impossible. Theoretical physicists (such as the ones in the above videos) come to these conclusions by using the basic laws of physics and quantum mechanics to back up their claims. Therefore, the CON side of the multiverse controversy also uses an appeal to logic and reasoning when backing up their claims.

With a theory such as the multiverse, its fairly easy for physics to claim these theories to be wrong, because they are just that: theories. However, who goes to say that these theories are not in some way possible? That’s what makes the multiverse such a good controversy.

 

 

Why Bother?

The advancement of science depends in general on the interplay between experimental studies and theory. Within physics there are many branches, and experimental physics often captures the public’s imagination more easily, with its huge machines that seem to mimic science fiction.

At first I found particle physics very cold. But then when you look at it from the mathematical perspective and you realize the incredible connection there is between mathematics and the structure of the universe, well that gave it an incredible appeal.” –Michelangelo Mangano

Experiments have been crucial to this decade’s greatest physics discoveries, despite the machines looking for something that theory had predicted many decades before.

According to physicist Brian Greene,  there are only so many ways matter can arrange itself within that infinite universe. Eventually, matter has to repeat itself and arrange itself in similar ways. So if the universe is infinitely large, it is also home to infinite parallel universes.

Recent discoveries in physics and astronomy, Greene says, point to the idea that our universe may be one of many universes populating a grander multiverse.

“You almost can’t avoid having some version of the multiverse in your studies if you push deeply enough in the mathematical descriptions of the physical universe,” he says. “There are many of us thinking of one version of parallel universe theory or another. If it’s all a lot of nonsense, then it’s a lot of wasted effort going into this far-out idea. But if this idea is correct, it is a fantastic upheaval in our understanding.”

Greene explains that when he began studying string theory and parallel universes, it wasn’t because he could one day measure energy at CERN or develop new mathematical equations. He simply liked the idea, he says, of studying something on such a large scale.

“We’re trying to talk about not just the universe but perhaps other universes — but all within a logical framework that allows us to make some definitive statements,” he says. “To me, that’s enormously exciting, to step outside the everyday and really look at the universe, within these mathematical terms, on its grandest scales.”

When it comes to the multiverse controversy, the “why bother” question might spring to mind. According to many theorists, controversy and debate lead to a deeper understanding and fascinating discoveries. All advancements in science start with a small idea, and eventually turn into something great. Whether people agree, both PRO and CON sides of the multiverse theory were effective at supporting their claim, and therefore led to newer and better ideas.