Computational and biological analogies

for understanding the fine tuning

of parameters in physics.

Clément Vidal Center Leo Apostel (CLEA)Evolution Complexity and Cognition (ECCO) clement.vidal@philosophons.com

OutlineOutline

1.1. IntroductionIntroduction

2.2. Physical constants and initial conditionsPhysical constants and initial conditions

3.3. Analogies for scientific purposesAnalogies for scientific purposes

4.4. The computational universeThe computational universe

5.5. The biological universeThe biological universe

1. Introduction1. Introduction

QuestionQuestion Philosophical DomainPhilosophical Domain

1. What is?1. What is? OntologyOntology (model of the present)(model of the present)

2. Where does it all come from?2. Where does it all come from? ExplanationExplanation (model of the past)(model of the past)

3. Where are we going?3. Where are we going? PredictionPrediction (model of the future, futurology)(model of the future, futurology)

4. What is good and what is evil?4. What is good and what is evil? AxiologyAxiology (theory of values) (theory of values)

5. How should we act?5. How should we act? PraxeologyPraxeology (theory of action) (theory of action)

6. What is true and what is false?6. What is true and what is false? EpistemologyEpistemology (theory of knowledge)(theory of knowledge)

The worldview questions. The worldview questions. (Apostel, Van der Veken 1991); (Vidal 2007, 2008b)(Apostel, Van der Veken 1991); (Vidal 2007, 2008b)

QuestionQuestion Philosophical DomainPhilosophical Domain

1. What is?1. What is? OntologyOntology (model of the present)(model of the present)

2. Where does it all come from?2. Where does it all come from? ExplanationExplanation (model of the past)(model of the past)

3. Where are we going?3. Where are we going? PredictionPrediction (model of the future, futurology)(model of the future, futurology)

4. What is good and what is evil?4. What is good and what is evil? AxiologyAxiology (theory of values) (theory of values)

5. How should we act?5. How should we act? PraxeologyPraxeology (theory of action) (theory of action)

6. What is true and what is false?6. What is true and what is false? EpistemologyEpistemology (theory of knowledge)(theory of knowledge)

The worldview questions. The worldview questions. (Apostel, Van der Veken 1991); (Vidal 2007, 2008b)(Apostel, Van der Veken 1991); (Vidal 2007, 2008b)

Gap in scientific explanationGap in scientific explanation

God explained the “laws of Nature”God explained the “laws of Nature”Science developed, and God was put asideScience developed, and God was put asideLaws are given, brute facts. Laws are given, brute facts.

Immense progress in Big HistoryImmense progress in Big HistoryGap in scientific explanation for the origin. Gap in scientific explanation for the origin.

(Davies 1998)(Davies 1998)

The Fine-Tuning (FT) ProblemThe Fine-Tuning (FT) Problem

if a number of physical parameters had if a number of physical parameters had been slightly different, no life or more been slightly different, no life or more generally no complexity would have generally no complexity would have emerged. emerged. (e.g. Leslie 1989, Rees 2000, etc.).(e.g. Leslie 1989, Rees 2000, etc.).

Two sets of fine-tuned parameters:Two sets of fine-tuned parameters:Physical constants model of particle physics. Physical constants model of particle physics. Initial conditions in cosmological modelsInitial conditions in cosmological models

2. Physical constants and 2. Physical constants and initial conditionsinitial conditions

Levy-Leblond’s (1979) Levy-Leblond’s (1979) Classification of constantsClassification of constants

A. A. Properties Properties of physical objects of physical objects (masses of "elementary particles", etc.)(masses of "elementary particles", etc.)

B. B. Classes of physical phenomenasClasses of physical phenomenascoupling constants of the various fundamental coupling constants of the various fundamental interactions (nuclear, strong and weak, electromagnetic interactions (nuclear, strong and weak, electromagnetic and gravitational)and gravitational)

C. C. Universal constantsUniversal constants constants applicable in principle to any physical constants applicable in principle to any physical phenomenon; (Planck constant phenomenon; (Planck constant ħħ is a typical example. is a typical example.

Fine Tuning of dimensionless Fine Tuning of dimensionless coupling constantscoupling constants

α electromagnetismα electromagnetismααGG gravity gravityααWW weak nuclear force weak nuclear force ααss strong nuclear force. strong nuclear force.

E.g. nucleosynthesis, the condition E.g. nucleosynthesis, the condition ααGG < α < αWW

44 must be fulfilled, must be fulfilled, else all hydrogen goes to helium. else all hydrogen goes to helium.

(Carr 2007)(Carr 2007)

The fate of The fate of dimensionful constants dimensionful constants

Distinction between:Distinction between: Dimensionless constantsDimensionless constants Dimensionful constants (Dimensionful constants (c, G, ħc, G, ħ ) )

Historically, Type-C dimensionful constants fade Historically, Type-C dimensionful constants fade awayaway (i) (i) modernmodern

conceptual role dominant (e.g. conceptual role dominant (e.g. ħħ, , cc) ) (ii) (ii) classicalclassical

conversion factors (e.g. thermodynamical constants conversion factors (e.g. thermodynamical constants kk, , JJ)) (iii) (iii) archaicarchaic

invisible (e.g. areas are square of lengths)invisible (e.g. areas are square of lengths)

(Duff 2002): 0 dimensionful constants! (Duff 2002): 0 dimensionful constants!

0 dimensionless constants as well? 0 dimensionless constants as well?

Type-A (properties) constantsType-A (properties) constantsType-B coupling constants Type-B coupling constants

All explained by a future cosmological All explained by a future cosmological model? model? To be discussed! To be discussed!

If so, FT would be reduced to initial If so, FT would be reduced to initial conditions of this model. conditions of this model.

3. 3. Analogies for scientific Analogies for scientific purposespurposes

What is an analogy?What is an analogy?

““a mapping of knowledge from one domain a mapping of knowledge from one domain (the base) into another (the target) such (the base) into another (the target) such that a that a system of relationssystem of relations that holds that holds among the base objects also holds among among the base objects also holds among the target objects.” the target objects.” (Gentner and Jeziorski 1993, 448-449).(Gentner and Jeziorski 1993, 448-449).

E.g. Cloud and spongeE.g. Cloud and spongeBasic cognitive tool (problem solving, etc.)Basic cognitive tool (problem solving, etc.)

Good analogical reasoningGood analogical reasoning

positive positive

what is analogous?what is analogous? negativenegative

what is disanalogous?what is disanalogous? neutral neutral

are the two domains are the two domains analogous?analogous?

(Hesse 1966)(Hesse 1966)

4. 4. The computational The computational universeuniverse

AIT, laws and initial conditions AIT, laws and initial conditions

AIT: Algorithmic Information Theory (Chaitin)AIT: Algorithmic Information Theory (Chaitin)Studies the complexity of stringsStudies the complexity of strings

LawsLaws Information which can be compressedInformation which can be compressed

Initial conditionsInitial conditions Information which Information which cannot cannot compressedcompressed

Cognitive point of viewCognitive point of view

Laws : Laws : Information our theories are able to compressInformation our theories are able to compress

Initial conditionsInitial conditions Information our theories can’t compressInformation our theories can’t compress

Scientific progress:Scientific progress:Less initial conditions (hypotheses) and more Less initial conditions (hypotheses) and more

compressing laws?compressing laws?

Simulating universesSimulating universes

To understand initial conditions of the Big BangTo understand initial conditions of the Big Bang

FT arguments vary one FT arguments vary one single parametersingle parameter Simulations are needed to vary more Simulations are needed to vary more

parameters parameters (see Vidal 2008a for more details)(see Vidal 2008a for more details)

MonkeyGodMonkeyGod

Victor Stenger (1995, 2000) simulatedVictor Stenger (1995, 2000) simulatedother possible universes. other possible universes.

Variation of 4 parametersVariation of 4 parametersMass of the electronMass of the electronMass of the protonMass of the protonα electromagnetismα electromagnetismααss strong nuclear force. strong nuclear force.

Many of them generate long-lived starsMany of them generate long-lived stars

LimitationsLimitations

(AIT) Initial conditions of cosmological (AIT) Initial conditions of cosmological models are not “incompressible”models are not “incompressible”Search new theories to explain themSearch new theories to explain them

Computation assumes Newtonian space Computation assumes Newtonian space and timeand time

Everything is set up with laws and initial Everything is set up with laws and initial conditionsconditions

4. 4. The biological universeThe biological universe

Evo Devo UniverseEvo Devo Universe

My focus: Lee Smolin’sMy focus: Lee Smolin’s

Cosmological Natural Selection (CNS)Cosmological Natural Selection (CNS)

Extension of CNSExtension of CNS

(Crane 1994; Harrison 1995; Gardner 2000; 2003; Baláz 2005; Smart 2008; (Crane 1994; Harrison 1995; Gardner 2000; 2003; Baláz 2005; Smart 2008; Vidal 2008)Vidal 2008)

Lee Smolin’s Cosmological Lee Smolin’s Cosmological Natural Selection (CNS)Natural Selection (CNS)

The situation of nowadays physics is analogous to the biologists’ before Lamarck and Darwin.

Biology (yesterday)Biology (yesterday) Physics Physics (nowadays)(nowadays)

(1) Why are the different species as they are ? (1) Why are the different species as they are ?

(2) Species are timeless categories.(2) Species are timeless categories.

Lee Smolin’s Cosmological Lee Smolin’s Cosmological Natural Selection (CNS)Natural Selection (CNS)

The situation of nowadays physics is analogous to the biologists’ before Lamarck and Darwin.

Biology (yesterday)Biology (yesterday) Physics (nowadays)Physics (nowadays)

(1) Why are the different species as (1) Why are the different species as they are ? they are ?

(1) Why are constants as they are ? (1) Why are constants as they are ?

(2) Species are timeless categories.(2) Species are timeless categories. (2) Constants are timeless.(2) Constants are timeless.

ComponentsComponents DescriptionDescription BIOLOGYBIOLOGY

(cell)(cell)

COSMOLOGYCOSMOLOGY

(universe)(universe)

Blueprint Blueprint Plan for the Plan for the construction of the construction of the offspring offspring

The information The information contained in the contained in the DNA DNA

Physical Physical constants and constants and initial conditionsinitial conditions

Factory Factory Carries out the Carries out the construction construction

Cell Cell Physical laws and Physical laws and the universe at the universe at large large

Controller Controller Ensures the Ensures the factory follows the factory follows the plan plan

The regulatory The regulatory mechanisms of mechanisms of the mitosis the mitosis

CNS:?CNS:?

Duplicating Duplicating machine machine

Transmits a copy Transmits a copy of the blueprint to of the blueprint to the offspring the offspring

The reproduction The reproduction of the DNA of the DNA

CNS:?CNS:?

ComponentsComponents DescriptionDescription BIOLOGYBIOLOGY

(cell)(cell)

COSMOLOGYCOSMOLOGY

(universe)(universe)

Blueprint Blueprint Plan for the Plan for the construction of the construction of the offspring offspring

The information The information contained in the contained in the DNA DNA

Physical constants Physical constants and initial conditionsand initial conditions

Factory Factory Carries out the Carries out the construction construction

Cell Cell Physical laws and Physical laws and the universe at the universe at large large

Controller Controller Ensures the Ensures the factory follows the factory follows the plan plan

The regulatory The regulatory mechanisms of mechanisms of the mitosis the mitosis

A cosmic process, A cosmic process, aiming at universe aiming at universe reproductionreproduction

Duplicating Duplicating machine machine

Transmits a copy Transmits a copy of the blueprint to of the blueprint to the offspring the offspring

The The reproduction of reproduction of the DNA the DNA

Highly evolved Highly evolved intelligenceintelligence

Next talksNext talks

James Gardner: String theoryJames Gardner: String theoryJohn Smart: Biological analogy (development)John Smart: Biological analogy (development)John Stewart: Cosmos and human valuesJohn Stewart: Cosmos and human values

5. Conclusion5. Conclusion

SummarySummary

Fine tuning arguments Fine tuning arguments reducedreduced to initial to initial conditions of a future cosmological model?conditions of a future cosmological model?

CarefulCareful analogical reasoning analogical reasoning

SimulationsSimulations to explore other possible universes to explore other possible universes

Completing CNS with a Completing CNS with a role for intelligent liferole for intelligent life (Gardner, Smart, Stewart…)(Gardner, Smart, Stewart…)

Thank you for your attention Thank you for your attention !!

Questions, criticisms are welcome now or laterQuestions, criticisms are welcome now or later

clement.vidal@philosophons.comclement.vidal@philosophons.com

References (1)References (1) Apostel, L., and Van der Veken. 1991. Wereldbeelden. Van fragmentering naar

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Baláz, BA. 2005. The Cosmological Replication Cycle, the Extraterrestrial Paradigm and the Final Anthropic Principle. Diotima, no. 33: 44-53. http://astro.elte.hu/~bab/seti/IACP12z.htm.

Carr, B., ed. 2007. Universe or multiverse. Ed. B. Carr. Cambridge University Press. Crane, L. 1994. Possible Implications of the Quantum Theory of Gravity: An

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References (2)References (2) Harrison, E. R. 1995. The Natural Selection of Universes Containing

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Hesse, M. 1966. Models and analogies in science. Notre Dame, IN: Notre Dame University Press.

Leslie, J. 1989. Universes. Routledge. Levy-Leblond, J. M. 1979. The importance of being (a) constant.

Problems in the foundations of physics, Enrico Fermi School LXXII, G. Torraldi ed.,(North Holland): 237.

Rees, M. 2000. Just Six Numbers: The Deep Forces that Shape the Universe. New York: Basic Books.

Smart, J. 2008. Evo Devo Universe? A Framework for Speculations on Cosmic Culture. In Cosmos and Culture, ed. S. J. Dick. To appear. http://accelerating.org/downloads/SmartEvoDevoUniv2008.pdf.

References (3)References (3) Stenger, V. J. 2000. Natural Explanations for the Anthropic

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