Possible universes as in Modal Logics

  • I
  • Thread starter MathematicalPhysicist
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation discusses the connection between the number of possible modal logics and the number of possible universes. It is suggested that for every possible universe, there is a suitable modal logic to describe it. However, it is questioned whether the reverse is also true. The conversation also touches on the relevance of these logics to physicists and the relationship between logicians and physicists. Finally, the idea of a theory of everything and its potential for being proven through experiments is mentioned. The speaker concludes that continuous learning and reevaluation is necessary, as there may never be an ultimate destination for knowledge.
  • #1
MathematicalPhysicist
Gold Member
4,699
371
It seems to me quite plausible to find some similarities between the number of possible modal logics and the number of possible universes.
For every possible universe you can find a suitable modal logic that describes it.

But is it also true that for any modal logic there exists a universe that is described by it?

I mean think of infinitude of universes, the place where metaphysics meets physics.
Are physicists interested in these sort of logics?
Is there a bridge between logicians and physicists?

Well as Michio Kaku once said:"can a theory of everything be proven by experiment?".

I guess that the answer to this is "No", you cannot make endless experiments to probe every possible universe, but you cannot also find such a theory of everything, cause there are an infinite number of models and modalities.
The search for a theory of everything is futile...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Perhaps seeking knowledge is futile. Have not studied semantics, epistemology nor existentialism in many years, the former somewhat subsumed in semiotics, but can comment that these modes of thinking remain useful tools, not descriptions of reality. Physics strives to describe what actually exists within the limits of our instruments despite epistemic flaws.

I am serene knowing I must continuously study, learn, reevaluate knowledge without arriving at an ultimate destination.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
MathematicalPhysicist said:
But is it also true that for any modal logic there exists a universe that is described by it?
Not necessarily. We only have evidence for one universe. And, some modal logics might not be generalizable in that fashion. We've pretty much moved beyond Plato's idea that everything we can imagine exists.
MathematicalPhysicist said:
Are physicists interested in these sort of logics?
Perhaps a few, but not many. Maybe a few hundred or less.
MathematicalPhysicist said:
Is there a bridge between logicians and physicists?
Yes. The logicians usually call themselves mathematicians or theoretical physicists when engaged in this activity, however. Almost nobody in academia or science identifies professional as a logician anymore. Very few have since the 1700s or so (coinciding with the replacement of "natural philosophy" with "science" as the dominant discipline studying the physical world), and since the 1970s that number is dwindled further. Plenty of philosophers and mathematicians still use formal logic, but they just don't identify that way. "Category theorist" is a popular description that overlaps heavily with "logicians" using "modal logics" in the sense that you are using it, although they aren't identical. Abstract algebra also heavily overlaps with it.
MathematicalPhysicist said:
Well as Michio Kaku once said:"can a theory of everything be proven by experiment?".
Depends upon what you mean by proven. It could certainly predict everything in the Standard Model and GR and additional things specific to the TOE and if it did that would probably be considered proof of the TOE even though the TOE wasn't necessarily a unique way to produce those results.
 

Similar threads

  • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
34
Views
2K
  • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
921
  • Beyond the Standard Models
Replies
9
Views
498
Back
Top