The Anthropic Cosmological Principle

The Anthropic Cosmological Principle PDF Author: John D. Barrow
Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand
ISBN: 9780192821478
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 706

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Book Description
Explores the concepts and many implications of the theory that the structure and operation of the universe is determined by the existence of intelligent observers

The Anthropic Cosmological Principle

The Anthropic Cosmological Principle PDF Author: John D. Barrow
Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand
ISBN: 9780192821478
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 706

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Book Description
Explores the concepts and many implications of the theory that the structure and operation of the universe is determined by the existence of intelligent observers

Anthropic Bias

Anthropic Bias PDF Author: Nick Bostrom
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 113671099X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
Anthropic Bias explores how to reason when you suspect that your evidence is biased by "observation selection effects"--that is, evidence that has been filtered by the precondition that there be some suitably positioned observer to "have" the evidence. This conundrum--sometimes alluded to as "the anthropic principle," "self-locating belief," or "indexical information"--turns out to be a surprisingly perplexing and intellectually stimulating challenge, one abounding with important implications for many areas in science and philosophy. There are the philosophical thought experiments and paradoxes: the Doomsday Argument; Sleeping Beauty; the Presumptuous Philosopher; Adam & Eve; the Absent-Minded Driver; the Shooting Room. And there are the applications in contemporary science: cosmology ("How many universes are there?", "Why does the universe appear fine-tuned for life?"); evolutionary theory ("How improbable was the evolution of intelligent life on our planet?"); the problem of time's arrow ("Can it be given a thermodynamic explanation?"); quantum physics ("How can the many-worlds theory be tested?"); game-theory problems with imperfect recall ("How to model them?"); even traffic analysis ("Why is the 'next lane' faster?"). Anthropic Bias argues that the same principles are at work across all these domains. And it offers a synthesis: a mathematically explicit theory of observation selection effects that attempts to meet scientific needs while steering clear of philosophical paradox.

Confrontation of Cosmological Theories with Observational Data

Confrontation of Cosmological Theories with Observational Data PDF Author: Malcolm S. Longair
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401022208
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 365

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Book Description
Proceedings of IAU Symposium No. 63, held in Cracow, Poland, September 10-12, 1973

A Fortunate Universe

A Fortunate Universe PDF Author: Geraint F. Lewis
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1316715221
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 395

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Book Description
Over the last forty years, scientists have uncovered evidence that if the Universe had been forged with even slightly different properties, life as we know it - and life as we can imagine it - would be impossible. Join us on a journey through how we understand the Universe, from its most basic particles and forces, to planets, stars and galaxies, and back through cosmic history to the birth of the cosmos. Conflicting notions about our place in the Universe are defined, defended and critiqued from scientific, philosophical and religious viewpoints. The authors' engaging and witty style addresses what fine-tuning might mean for the future of physics and the search for the ultimate laws of nature. Tackling difficult questions and providing thought-provoking answers, this volumes challenges us to consider our place in the cosmos, regardless of our initial convictions.

The Anthropic Principle

The Anthropic Principle PDF Author: F. Bertola
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521382038
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
Long awaited proceedings of an important conference on the anthropic prininciple.

Universe Or Multiverse?

Universe Or Multiverse? PDF Author: Bernard Carr
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521848411
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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Book Description
Physicists argue from different perspectives for and against the idea of the existence of multiple universes.

String Theory For Dummies

String Theory For Dummies PDF Author: Andrew Zimmerman Jones
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 047046724X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 387

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Book Description
A clear, plain-English guide to this complex scientific theory String theory is the hottest topic in physics right now, with books on the subject (pro and con) flying out of the stores. String Theory For Dummies offers an accessible introduction to this highly mathematical "theory of everything," which posits ten or more dimensions in an attempt to explain the basic nature of matter and energy. Written for both students and people interested in science, this guide explains concepts, discusses the string theory's hypotheses and predictions, and presents the math in an approachable manner. It features in-depth examples and an easy-to-understand style so that readers can understand this controversial, cutting-edge theory.

The Anthropic Cosmological Principle

The Anthropic Cosmological Principle PDF Author: John D. Barrow
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 728

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Book Description
Investigates the history of philosophic thought concerning the question of design and mankind's place in the universe. The modern collection of ideas known as the "anthropic cosmological principle" asserts that there is a deep connection between intelligent life and the physical universe.

Cosmic Jackpot

Cosmic Jackpot PDF Author: Paul Davies
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 9780547415765
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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Book Description
Cosmic Jackpot is Paul Davies’s eagerly awaited return to cosmology, the successor to his critically acclaimed bestseller The Mind of God. Here he tackles all the "big questions," including the biggest of them all: Why does the universe seem so well adapted for life? In his characteristically clear and elegant style, Davies shows how recent scientific discoveries point to a perplexing fact: many different aspects of the cosmos, from the properties of the humble carbon atom to the speed of light, seem tailor-made to produce life. A radical new theory says it’s because our universe is just one of an infinite number of universes, each one slightly different. Our universe is bio-friendly by accident -- we just happened to win the cosmic jackpot. While this "multiverse" theory is compelling, it has bizarre implications, such as the existence of infinite copies of each of us and Matrix-like simulated universes. And it still leaves a lot unexplained. Davies believes there’s a more satisfying solution to the problem of existence: the observations we make today could help shape the nature of reality in the remote past. If this is true, then life -- and, ultimately, consciousness -- aren’t just incidental byproducts of nature, but central players in the evolution of the universe. Whether he’s elucidating dark matter or dark energy, M-theory or the multiverse, Davies brings the leading edge of science into sharp focus, provoking us to think about the cosmos and our place within it in new and thrilling ways.

The Cosmic Landscape

The Cosmic Landscape PDF Author: Leonard Susskind
Publisher: Back Bay Books
ISBN: 0316055581
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
In his first book ever, the father of string theory reinvents the world's concept of the known universe and man's unique place within it. Line drawings.