mikolas

New Theory on Existence of the Universe - Is It All Just Math?

June 18, 2008 – 0:35 by Mikko Hämäläinen

Discover Magazine has an interesting article about new theory of the Universe by Swedish born cosmologist Max Tegmark. Tegmark argues that the Universe is actually made of mathematics! This might feel just a bit far fetched idea for anyone accustomed to the conventional physics. However, Tegmark presents an interesting philosophical case as much of theoretical physics already heavily revolves around math - string theory or membrane theory for example.

Everything we as humans are capable of observing can be broken down to algorithms. Classical physics present world as solid mathematical approximation when it comes to large bodies like planets or even everyday visible objects. Quantum mechanics have been successful on predicting physical phenomena even though even the idea of quantum started as an abstract mathematical model. The same pattern can be repeated over the course of science and nowadays theory usually far precedes actual physical proof, to a large extent due to complicated and resource heavy machinery needed to get to the fine enough resolution of measurement. Take the soon-to-be-started Large Hadron Collider for an example.

So, who knows? Maybe we are just pieces of information in a huge supercomputer that is the Universe. It’s as good theory as any and the mathematical model seems to be solid, built onto the principles of our best current accepted understanding.