At Multiverse Impasse, a New Theory of Scale

Re:At Multiverse Impasse, a New Theory of Scale by clusterfoo on Friday August 29, 2014 @10:10AM (#8242539)

Naive question (I know nothing about this stuff):

If mathematical logic is a property of our universe, then aren't we again entering the realm of circular logic? i.e: "Given the logical frameworks that are correct in our universe, our universe is very likely."

Unless math is something that somehow exists independently of our physical universe... but then "where" does it come from?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:At Multiverse Impasse, a New Theory of Scale by calinet6 on Friday August 29, 2014 @10:35AM (#8242663)

I have no idea, really.

My hunch is that mathematics is more than universal; truths hold regardless of which medium of calculation is used to conclude them.

In any case, our conclusions about our own universe at least hold within our own universe, and are therefore still very useful for our own understanding thereof.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:At Multiverse Impasse, a New Theory of Scale by marktangotango on Friday August 29, 2014 @11:32AM (#8242950)

Neal Stephenson explores this line of questioning in a fun way in the novel Anathem.

[ Parent | on HN ]