Cosmology and Hilbert's sixth problem
There have been tantalizing indications from many quarters of physical cosmology that we are living in the multiverse - a huge set of cosmological domains ("universes"). What is the structure of this larger whole is an entirely open problem on the interface between physics and met...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Astronomical Observatory, Department of Astronomy, Belgrade
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Serbian Astronomical Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-698X/2020/1450-698X2000043C.pdf |
| _version_ | 1828485443091431424 |
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| author | Ćirković Milan M. |
| author_facet | Ćirković Milan M. |
| author_sort | Ćirković Milan M. |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There have been tantalizing indications from many quarters of physical
cosmology that we are living in the multiverse - a huge set of cosmological
domains ("universes"). What is the structure of this larger whole is an
entirely open problem on the interface between physics and metaphysics. A
goal of the present paper is to draw attention to the connection between
this problem and an old and celebrated puzzle in mathematical physics. Among
the unresolved problems David Hilbert posed in 1900 as a challenge for the
dawning century, none is more philosophically controversial than the Sixth
Problem, requiring the axiomatization of physical theories. In the new
century and the new millennium, this problem has remained a challenge,
usually swept under the rug as "not belonging to mathematics" (as if that
impacts its epistemical status) or simply "unresolved". Recent radical
ontological/cosmological hypothesis of Max Tegmark, identifying mathematical
and physical structures, might shed some new light onto this allegedly
antiquated subject: it might be the case that the problem has already been
solved, insofar we have formalized mathematical structures! While this can
be seen as "cutting the Gordian knot" rather than patiently resolving the
issue, we suggest that there are several advantages to taking Tegmark's
solution seriously, notably in the domain of (future) physics of the
observer. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. ON176021: Visible and Invisible Matter in Nearby Galaxies:
Theory and Observations and Grant no. ON179048: The Theory and Practice of
Science in Society: Multidisciplinary, Educational, and Intergenerational
Perspectives] |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T09:14:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0795daa7015d457d955470aff34902c3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1450-698X 1820-9289 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T09:14:14Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Astronomical Observatory, Department of Astronomy, Belgrade |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Serbian Astronomical Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-0795daa7015d457d955470aff34902c32022-12-22T01:13:25ZengAstronomical Observatory, Department of Astronomy, BelgradeSerbian Astronomical Journal1450-698X1820-92892020-01-012020200434910.2298/SAJ2000043C1450-698X2000043CCosmology and Hilbert's sixth problemĆirković Milan M.0Astronomical Observatory, Belgrade, Serbia + Future of Humanity Institute, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Suite, Littlegate House, Oxford, UKThere have been tantalizing indications from many quarters of physical cosmology that we are living in the multiverse - a huge set of cosmological domains ("universes"). What is the structure of this larger whole is an entirely open problem on the interface between physics and metaphysics. A goal of the present paper is to draw attention to the connection between this problem and an old and celebrated puzzle in mathematical physics. Among the unresolved problems David Hilbert posed in 1900 as a challenge for the dawning century, none is more philosophically controversial than the Sixth Problem, requiring the axiomatization of physical theories. In the new century and the new millennium, this problem has remained a challenge, usually swept under the rug as "not belonging to mathematics" (as if that impacts its epistemical status) or simply "unresolved". Recent radical ontological/cosmological hypothesis of Max Tegmark, identifying mathematical and physical structures, might shed some new light onto this allegedly antiquated subject: it might be the case that the problem has already been solved, insofar we have formalized mathematical structures! While this can be seen as "cutting the Gordian knot" rather than patiently resolving the issue, we suggest that there are several advantages to taking Tegmark's solution seriously, notably in the domain of (future) physics of the observer. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. ON176021: Visible and Invisible Matter in Nearby Galaxies: Theory and Observations and Grant no. ON179048: The Theory and Practice of Science in Society: Multidisciplinary, Educational, and Intergenerational Perspectives]http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-698X/2020/1450-698X2000043C.pdfhistory and philosophy of astronomycosmology: theoryastrobiology |
| spellingShingle | Ćirković Milan M. Cosmology and Hilbert's sixth problem Serbian Astronomical Journal history and philosophy of astronomy cosmology: theory astrobiology |
| title | Cosmology and Hilbert's sixth problem |
| title_full | Cosmology and Hilbert's sixth problem |
| title_fullStr | Cosmology and Hilbert's sixth problem |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cosmology and Hilbert's sixth problem |
| title_short | Cosmology and Hilbert's sixth problem |
| title_sort | cosmology and hilbert s sixth problem |
| topic | history and philosophy of astronomy cosmology: theory astrobiology |
| url | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-698X/2020/1450-698X2000043C.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cirkovicmilanm cosmologyandhilbertssixthproblem |