Multiverse Theories : A Philosophical Perspective

Author: Friederich, Simon (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands)

Mathematics & science

Published on 28 January 2021 by CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS in the United Kingdom.

Hardback | 210 pages, Worked examples or Exercises
175 x 250 x 18 | 554g

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.