Science and Ultimate Reality: Quantum Theory, Cosmology, and Complexity

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511814990

This volume provides a fascinating snapshot of the future of physics, covering fundamental physics, at the frontiers of research. It comprises a wide variety of contributions from leading thinkers in the field, inspired by the pioneering work of John A. Wheeler. Quantum theory represents a unifying theme within the book, along with topics such as the nature of physical reality, the arrow of time, models of the universe, superstrings, gravitational radiation, quantum gravity and cosmic inflation. Attempts to formulate a final unification of physics are discussed, along with the existence of hidden dimensions of space, space-time singularities, hidden cosmic matter, and the strange world of quantum technology.

'Do not be put off by its length … this is one of those rare volumes where quantity is matched by quality … this is a remarkable volume.'

Source: Nature

'In response to Einstein's question 'did God have any choice in the nature of his creation?', Wheeler has suggested that there are no truly fixed fundamental laws of physics at all. He was a remarkable man and this is a remarkable volume.'

Source: Nature

'The sheer breadth of the novel approaches in fundamental research is a testament to Wheeler's broad curiosity. I can only imagine that this book will be read by more great minds eager to plunge into the darkness to shed some light with a torch or even star.'

Source: Contemporary Physics

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Contents
pp v-vii
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List of contributors
pp viii-x
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Foreword
pp xi-xii
- By John A. Wheeler, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey
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Editors' preface
pp xiii-xvi
- By John D. Barrow, University of Cambridge, Paul C. W. Davies, Macquarie University, Charles L. Harper, Jr, John Templeton Foundation
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Preface
pp xvii-xix
- By J. Dyson Freeman, Institute for Advanced Study Princeton, New Jersey
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Acknowledgments
pp xx-xx
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Part I - An overview of the contributions of John Archibald Wheeler
pp 1-2
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1 - John Archibald Wheeler and the clash of ideas
pp 3-24
- By Paul C. W. Davies, Macquarie University
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Part II - An historian's tribute to John Archibald Wheeler and scientific speculation through the ages
pp 25-26
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2 - The heritage of Heraclitus: John Archibald Wheeler and the itch to speculate
pp 27-42
- By Jaroslav Pelikan, Yale University
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Part III - Quantum reality: theory
pp 43-44
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3 - Why is nature described by quantum theory?
pp 45-71
- By Lucien Hardy, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Canada
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4 - Thought-experiments in honor of John Archibald Wheeler
pp 72-89
- By Freeman J. Dyson, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton
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5 - It from qubit
pp 90-102
- By David Deutsch, University of Oxford
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6 - The wave function: it or bit?
pp 103-120
- By H. Dieter Zeh, Universität Heidelberg
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7 - Quantum Darwinism and envariance
pp 121-137
- By Wojciech H. Zurek, Los Alamos National Laboratory
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8 - Using qubits to learn about “it”
pp 138-152
- By Juan Pablo Paz, University of Buenos Aires
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9 - Quantum gravity as an ordinary gauge theory
pp 153-166
- By Juan M. Maldacena, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton
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10 - The Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics
pp 167-198
- By Bryce S. DeWitt, The University of Texas at Austin
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Part IV - Quantum reality: experiment
pp 199-200
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11 - Why the quantum? “It” from “bit”? A participatory universe? Three far-reaching challenges from John Archibald Wheeler and their relation to experiment
pp 201-220
- By Anton Zeilinger, University of Vienna
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12 - Speakable and unspeakable, past and future
pp 221-253
- By Aephraim M. Steinberg, University of Toronto
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13 - Conceptual tensions between quantum mechanics and general relativity: are there experimental consequences?
pp 254-279
- By Raymond Y. Chiao, University of California at Berkeley
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14 - Breeding nonlocal Schrödinger cats: a thought-experiment to explore the quantum–classical boundary
pp 280-305
- By Serge Haroche, Collège de France and Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris
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15 - Quantum erasing the nature of reality: or, perhaps, the reality of nature?
pp 306-328
- By Paul G. Kwiat, University of Illinois–Urbana, Berthold-Georg Englert, National University of Singapore
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16 - Quantum feedback and the quantum–classical transition
pp 329-344
- By Hideo Mabuchi, California Institute of Technology
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17 - What quantum computers may tell us about quantum mechanics
pp 345-360
- By Christopher R. Monroe, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Part V - Big questions in cosmology
pp 361-362
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18 - Cosmic inflation and the arrow of time
pp 363-401
- By Andreas Albrecht, University of California
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Science and Ultimate Reality

Quantum Theory, Cosmology, and Complexity

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