Why is the universe comprehensible?
History and Philosophy of Physics
2020-11-16 v1 General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Quantum Physics
Abstract
Why is the universe comprehensible? How is it that we can come to know its regularities well-enough to exploit them for our own gain? In this essay I argue that the nature of our comprehension lies in the mutually agreed upon methodology we use to attain it and on the basic stability of the universe. But I also argue that the very act of comprehension itself places constraints on what we can comprehend by forcing us to establish a context for our knowledge. In this way the universe has managed to conspire to make itself objectively comprehensible to subjective observers.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2011.06672,
title = {Why is the universe comprehensible?},
author = {Ian T. Durham},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2011.06672},
year = {2020}
}
Comments
Forthcoming in a collection from Springer. Fourth Prize-winning essay in the 2020 FQXi Essay Contest