A Skeptical Look At The Multiverse

sjanich writes "The NY Times has a short, interesting article on multiverse theory. The author, Paul Davies, writes: 'This idea of multiple universes, or multiple realities, has been around in philosophical circles for centuries. The scientific justification for it, however, is new.' It is quite an interesting read. The author is a Physicist and pretty good science writer." Davies is not kind to the multiverse theory.

Comments

theory that makes no predictions is meaningless

[obtuse]

Davies refers to, but never explicitly states one particular point: Most of the multiverse theories are inherently untestable, because we're completely isolated from the other universes. These are theories that don't predict or even suggest anything. How meaningless can you get?

This is a good general point. Solipsism is uninteresting. Subjectivism & deconstructivism are often taken to similar absurd extremes by stupid people, including respected critics.

He makes the analogy between theology & these scientific non-explanations. Religion is personally very meaningful, but metaphysics isn't science. Consequently a classic metaphysical question, "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?" is the canonical meaningless question.

The word that springs to mind is sophomoric. It reminds me of High School, when one friend asked another "What if you're really insane & just dreaming all of this?" The answer was of course, "So what? You've gotta pretty much live your life the same way anyway."