Multiverse Theories - A Philosophical Perspective

At the intersection of physics and philosophy of science, this book outlines the philosophical challenge to theoretical physics in a measured, well-grounded manner. Cosmologists, high energy physicists, and philosophers including graduate students and researchers will find a systematic exploration of such questions in this important book.

List of contents

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.

About the author

Simon Friederich is associate professor of Philosophy of Science at Groningen University and holds PhDs in both physics and philosophy. His work on multiverse theories was supported by a Veni grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research.

Summary

At the intersection of physics and philosophy of science, this book outlines the philosophical challenge to theoretical physics in a measured, well-grounded manner. Cosmologists, high energy physicists, and philosophers including graduate students and researchers will find a systematic exploration of such questions in this important book.

Product details

• Authors: Simon Friederich, Simon (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Friederich, Friederich Simon
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.11.2020
• EAN: 9781108487122
• ISBN: 978-1-108-48712-2
• No. of pages: 210
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Theoretical physics; SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, SCIENCE / Physics / Astrophysics, SCIENCE / Physics / Relativity, Philosophy of Science, Cosmology & the universe, Cosmology and the universe, Theoretical & mathematical astronomy, Relativity physics, SCIENCE / Space Science / Cosmology, Theoretical and mathematical astronomy