Philosophy meets Physics (SFB 676 Student Council Evening Lecture): The fine-tuning argument for the multiverse and the reality of the constants
by
Simon Friederich(University of Groningen)
→
Europe/Berlin
Main auditorium (Hörsaal) (DESY)
Main auditorium (Hörsaal)
DESY
Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg
Description
Simon Friederich, University of Groningen: The fine-tuning argument for the multiverse and the reality of the constants
According to the laws of physics as presently known, had the values of some constants of nature been slightly different, life could not have existed. A common reaction to this finding is to propose that our universe is just one among vastly many in an encompassing multiverse where the values of the constants differ in the different subuniverses.
Since we can only exist where the constants permit life, the apparent fine-tuning of the constants where we live is unsurprising. String theory in combination with inflationary cosmology suggest the string landscape multiverse as a promising implementation of the multiverse and in that sense supports it.
The talk will give a philosphical insight into this topic, assessing three major objections against the fine-tuning argument, as well as discussing novel responses to them. Food and Drinks will be provided.
