The Fabric of Reality: The Science of Parallel Universes--and Its ImplicationsA penetrating exploration of the new physics, including time travel, quantum computers, and the multiverse – as referenced in the film “Avengers: Endgame” For David Deutsch, a young physicist of unusual originality, quantum theory contains our most fundamental knowledge of the physical world. Taken literally, it implies that there are many universes “parallel” to the one we see around us. This multiplicity of universes, according to Deutsch, turns out to be the key to achieving a new worldview, one which synthesizes the theories of evolution, computation, and knowledge with quantum physics. Considered jointly, these four strands of explanation reveal a unified fabric of reality that is both objective and comprehensible, the subject of this daring, challenging book. The Fabric of Reality explains and connects many topics at the leading edge of current research and thinking, such as quantum computers (which work by effectively collaborating with their counterparts in other universes), the physics of time travel, the comprehensibility of nature and the physical limits of virtual reality, the significance of human life, and the ultimate fate of the universe. Here, for scientist and layperson alike, for philosopher, science-fiction reader, biologist, and computer expert, is a startlingly complete and rational synthesis of disciplines, and a new, optimistic message about existence. |
Contents
Shadows | |
Problemsolving | |
Criteria for Reality | |
Virtual Reality | |
Universality and the Limits of Computation | |
The Significance of Life | |
Quantum Computers Chapter 10 The Nature of Mathematics | |
The First Quantum Concept | |
Time Travel | |
The Four Strands | |
The Ends of the Universe | |
Bibliography | |
Index | |
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Common terms and phrases
abstract entities argument behave behaviour Big Crunch brain Cantgotu environments classical commonsense complex concept Copenhagen interpretation copies CRYPTOINDUCTIVIST DAVID Dr Johnson’s Earth effect epistemology evolution example exist experience explanation explanatory fabric of reality fact fundamental future Galileo genes gravity happen heliocentric theory human inductivism inductivist infinite interact interference intuition justified knowledge laws of physics logically machine mathematical mathematicians motion moving multiverse natural numbers niche numbers observations omega point paradigm parallel universes particles particular past pastdirected phenomena physical objects physical reality physically possible environment planets Popper Popperian predictions prevailing theory problem of induction problemsolving proof properties quantum computer quantum theory quantummechanical reason refutation repertoire replicator rival rules of inference selfevident sense sequence shadow photons simulated snapshots solipsism spacetime specified strands structure tangible theory of computation theory of everything things Tipler Turing principle understand user’s virtual reality virtualreality rendering worldview