But I find compelling points on both sides of the above argument.
On one hand, if this universe came from a completely symmetrical state, like a vacuum with nothing in, in what state were the laws of physics stored. A distinct possibility is in a mathematical state, but that does not mean that such a state has real existence. But since the laws of physics seem to have an existence independent of the completely symmetrical state which can presumably hold no information, then where is that information stored? That is rather metaphysical, but I think it's a meaningful question.
The laws of physics are clearly mathematical for us. But here there is a kind of duality between math and physical law. What breaks the duality is that as I understand it, there is much more math than there are laws of physics. I read that the mathematicians have produced much more math than the physicists have been able to use. So if we are indeed near a theory of everything, then why so much wasted mathematics if math is fundamental.
And if you believe in Chaitin, the world of rational math are really just small islands in a sea of irrational math, whatever that means.
If math is fundamental, then there must, in my opinion, be some kind of agency that picks the appropriate math for each new universe. We could call that agency god. But that is unfairly using Alexanders metaphysics to invoke a god on the basis of much more math than physical laws seem to require.
All that aside, what I really want to know is where the laws of physics are stored long before they are needed. Its the DNA of the universe. There seems to be a blueprint that decides how everything behaves at every energy level, long before it reaches that level. |