Many scientists have been fascinated by the universe for a very long time since it is a fascinating and complicated subject. There are several, mutually exclusive viewpoints on the nature of the cosmos. In this post, we’ll investigate whether the cosmos self-creates and the theories that scientists have about it.
Let’s start with an introduction to the subject. The universe is all there is, including space, time and all matter and energy. It is an enormously complex system that still offers us many mysteries. One way to define the universe is through the “20 Questions” game.
This game assumes that an object in the universe can be defined by asking the right questions. In this blog, we will explore how this game can help us understand how the universe works.
The realist view of scientists
The realist view assumes that there is an objective reality independent of our subjective experiences. This view has served scientists well in physics for many years. The idea is that we can measure and describe the physical properties of the world around us through experiments.
The change in scientists’ perspective
But with the advent of quantum mechanics, scientists have changed their perspective on reality. Quantum mechanics states that perception affects the object being measured.
This means that we cannot assign physical properties to the world between measurements. The Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics states that we can only meaningfully define what we measure.
Solutions to the paradox of observation and reality
Different views have emerged to interpret a real, physical world. The observer-dependent view of von Neumann and Wigner assumes that the observer creates reality.
Other views, such as the many-worlds interpretation of Hugh Everett and the ideas of quantum decoherence, attempt to resolve the paradox of observation and reality.
Richard Feynman’s interpretation of “don’t interpret” quantum mechanics argues that we should concentrate on the mathematical predictions of the theory, rather than concern ourselves with its interpretation. John Archibald Wheeler argues that the observer and the observed are inseparable.
Wheeler’s ideas about the interaction between the observer and observed
The informational nature of the world
Wheeler believed that the world has a fundamentally informational character. This means that information is a central concept in our description of the world. According to Wheeler, information is not something we simply extract from the world, but something embedded in the world and part of the structure of the world itself.
“It from bit”
Wheeler coined the famous statement “it from bit,” meaning that the world comes from information. This means that information is fundamental to our description of the world. It also means that the universe consists not only of matter but also of information.
The idea of a participatory universe
According to Wheeler, the universe is not just a passive entity observed by us but is a participatory universe. This means that the observer plays an active role in determining reality. Not only does the universe depend on the observer, but the observer depends on the universe.
The importance of the observer
Wheeler emphasized the importance of the observer in physics. According to Wheeler, the observer is not a passive observer, but an active participant in reality. The observer also determines what reality looks like. This means that the observer plays a central role in understanding the physical world.
The central importance of observer-observer interaction
According to Wheeler, the interaction between the observer and the observed is crucial to understanding the physical world. Not only is the universe affected by the observer, but the observer is also affected by the universe. The interaction between the observer and the observed is an important part of reality and therefore must be taken seriously.
The importance of proper questioning in creating reality
The importance of the right questions in Wheeler’s version of the game of 20 questions
Wheeler devised the game of 20 questions as a way of asking the fundamental questions of physics. He believed that asking the right questions is crucial to understanding the physical world. The right questions lead to a deeper understanding of reality and can help us develop new ideas and concepts.
Does the Universe Create Itself? Participatory realism as a solution
Quantum Bayesianism
Quantum Bayesianism (or QBism) is an interpretation of quantum mechanics that holds that the quantum wave function does not describe what the physical world is like, but what our knowledge of the physical world is like.
QBism assumes the subjectivity of perception and sees the observer as the central factor in the process of measurement. QBism argues that the role of the observer in quantum mechanics cannot be ignored and that the quantum wave function relates only to the observer’s knowledge of the physical world.
Relational quantum mechanics
Relational quantum mechanics is an interpretation of quantum mechanics that holds that the physical world can only be understood in terms of the relationships between the objects in that world.
According to this interpretation, there is no absolute, objective reality and only relationships between objects can be measured and described. The observer plays an important role in determining these relationships and interpreting the measurements.
The importance of the observer in defining observations.
Both QBism and relational quantum mechanics emphasize the importance of the observer in defining the observed.
These interpretations of quantum mechanics emphasize that the observer cannot be ignored and that the quantum wave function does not describe how the physical world is, but how the observer has knowledge about the physical world. This emphasizes the importance of observation and measurement in defining reality.
The importance of maintaining a certain substrate of reality
Although QBism and relational quantum mechanics emphasize the role of the observer, they also emphasize the importance of preserving a certain substrate of reality.
These interpretations of quantum mechanics emphasize that the physical world is not completely subjective and that there is a certain degree of objectivity and independence. Preserving this substrate is essential to maintaining the consistency of the natural laws and the predictability of reality.
Conclusion
In this article, we have examined how quantum mechanics has changed our understanding of reality. We have seen that the realist point of view of scientists has given way to a more participatory view of reality.
This view emphasizes the importance of the observer in defining what is observed and argues that reality is not something we discover, but something we create through observation.
Source: YouTube video
