Weaving the Universe

The following sections are included:

• PREFACE

• CONTENTS

The idea that science is at least partly invented, rather than discovered, was put forward most noticeably by the great astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington (1882–1944). He was severely criticized by both philosophers and physicists. However, recent advances in quantum mechanics and relativity have supported his thesis. In fact, it is now possible to present a fresh approach to the idea that science depends not so much on experiments as on the logical fit of theories coming from the human brain. It is the aim of this book to examine the ability of the human intellect to create science — or (in short) to study mind weaving…

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Olbers' Paradox

• Zero-Point Fields and the Cosmological ‘Constant’

• The Hierarchy Problem

• Supersymmetry and Dark WIMPs

• The Fermi–Hart Paradox: Where are the Aliens?

• Conclusion

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Dimensions and Fundamental Constants

• Eddington and His Legacy

• Campbell and His Theorem

• Conclusion

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Physics and the Flow of Time

• Time as a Subjective Ordering Device

• Mathematics and Reality

• Conclusion

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Properties of Matter

• Creating Matter

• Negative Mass?

• Manipulating Matter

• Conclusion

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Newton

• Einstein

• Eddington

• Milne

• Laplace

• Conclusion

• References

The question we are now in a position to pose, and hopefully answer, is both profound and provocative: Is science discovered or invented?

By this, we do not mean to imply that science is a dream or fantasy. Rather, we are following the path of the eminent astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington in the 1930s, and asking if the biological and psychological aspects which necessarily attach to us as humans introduce a subjective element into what we usually regard as objective research. It is difficult to answer this in a completely quantitative fashion, and attach a value between 0 and 100 percent. But an increasing number of people are asking this question, as our theories of subjects like quantum theory and cosmology become ever more abstract, taking on the appearance of mind weaving…

The following sections are included:

• INDEX