Smolin has been recognized as a heavyweight in physics (and cosmology) for some time. I haven’t read this book, but the others I have read are very carefully balanced.
John From: stevenzen...@gmail.com [mailto:stevenzen...@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Steven Ericsson-Zenith Sent: March 20, 2015 2:04 PM To: Søren Brier Cc: Jon Awbrey; Steven Ericsson-Zenith; Edwina Taborsky; Jerry LR Chandler; Peirce List Subject: [PEIRCE-L] Re: A System Of Analytic Mechanics I responded to Soren. In fact, I mention Smolin in the post to which Soren responded. I am well aware of Smolin's work - and I am surprised at it. Since when has eminence held muster in science? :-) Steven On Fri, Mar 20, 2015 at 2:46 AM, Søren Brier <sb....@cbs.dk<mailto:sb....@cbs.dk>> wrote: Jon Thanks. I just wanted to remind Steven that an eminent modern physicist found it possible to uphold his position while having a view close to Peirce's. Søren -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- Fra: Jon Awbrey [mailto:jawb...@att.net<mailto:jawb...@att.net>] Sendt: 19. marts 2015 15:32 Til: Søren Brier; Steven Ericsson-Zenith; Edwina Taborsky Cc: Jerry LR Chandler; Peirce List Emne: Re: A System Of Analytic Mechanics Re: Søren Brier At: http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.science.philosophy.peirce/15878 Søren, List, Smolin's 'Time Reborn' was the subject, or at least the instigation, of much discussion here and there around the web a couple years ago. From a cursory search, I think it was Michael Shapiro who broached the topic on the Peirce List, inciting discussions that went on for the rest of the summer: https://list.iupui.edu/sympa/arc/peirce-l/2013-05/msg00028.html I recall blogging on it and adding a quote from Peirce in connection with a discussion on a blog devoted to computational complexity and the theory of computation: http://inquiryintoinquiry.com/2013/06/01/wherefore-aught/ Regards, Jon On 3/19/2015 2:13 AM, Søren Brier wrote: > Dear Steven > > Are you aware of the work of Unger and Smolin where they argue for the > evolution of laws? > The Singular Universe….THE SINGULAR UNIVERSE AND THE REALITY OF TIME > Cambridge University Press, November 30, 2014. > Synopsis > This is a book on the nature of time and the basic laws of nature. We argue > for the inclusive reality of time as well as for the mutability of the laws > of nature. We seek to breathe new life and meaning into natural philosophy > –- a form of reasoning that crosses the boundaries between science and > philosophy. > The work should appeal to a broad educated readership as well as to > scientists and philosophers. It is not a popularization, but neither does it > use a technical vocabulary that would restrict it to specialized readers. The > subjects that it addresses are of paramount interest to people in many > disciplines outside cosmology and physics. > In the twentieth century, physics and cosmology overturned the idea of an > unchanging background of time and space. In so doing, however, they > maintained the idea of an immutable framework of laws of nature. This second > idea must now also be attacked and replaced. What results is a new picture of > the agenda of physics and cosmology as well as of the methods of fundamental > science. > The book develops four inter-related themes: > 1) There is only one universe at a time. Our universe is not one of many > worlds. It has no copy or complete model, even in mathematics. The current > interest in multiverse cosmologies is based on fallacious reasoning. > 2) Time is real, and indeed the only aspect of our description of nature > which is not emergent or approximate. The inclusive reality of time has > revolutionary implications for many of our conventional beliefs. > 3) Everything evolves in this real time including laws of nature. There is > only a relative distinction between laws and the states of affairs that they > govern.. > 4) Mathematics deals with the one real world. We need not imagine it to be a > shortcut to timeless truth about an immaterial reality (Platonism) in order > to make sense of its “unreasonable effectiveness” in science. > We argue by systematic philosophical and scientific reasoning , as well as by > detailed examples, that these principles are the only way theoretical > cosmology can break out of its current crisis in a manner that is scientific, > i.e. results in falsifiable predictions for doable experiments. > > And Smolin’s Time Reborn > “What is time? > > It’s the sort of question we rarely ask because it seems so obvious. And yet, > to a physicist, time is simply a human construct and an illusion. If you > could somehow get outside the universe and observe it from there, you would > see that every moment has always existed and always will. Lee Smolin > disagrees, and in Time Reborn he lays out the case why. > > Recent developments in physics and cosmology point toward the reality of time > and the openness of the future. Smolin’s groundbreaking theory postulates > that physical laws can evolve over time and the future is not yet determined. > Newton’s fundamental laws may not remain so fundamental.” > Smolin quotes Peirce several times in this book for the view that different > laws emerging in the course of the development of the universe over time. > > Søren > -- academia: http://independent.academia.edu/JonAwbrey my word press blog: http://inquiryintoinquiry.com/ inquiry list: http://stderr.org/pipermail/inquiry/ isw: http://intersci.ss.uci.edu/wiki/index.php/JLA oeiswiki: http://www.oeis.org/wiki/User:Jon_Awbrey facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JonnyCache
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