Could the universe exist without space and time?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of whether the universe could exist without the dimensions of space and time, exploring theoretical physics perspectives, particularly in relation to string theory and quantum gravity theories. Participants are examining the implications of these theories on the nature of existence and dimensionality.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question if the universe could exist without space and time, referencing the foundational role of spacetime in relativity.
  • One participant mentions that certain quantum gravity theories, like loop quantum gravity, propose that spacetime is an emergent property rather than a fundamental aspect.
  • Another participant notes that string theory does not eliminate the ordinary four dimensions of spacetime but rather adds additional dimensions.
  • There is a mention of specific string theory proposals, such as AdS/CFT, suggesting that not all space is fundamental and that a higher-dimensional spacetime may emerge from a lower-dimensional framework.
  • Participants express uncertainty about whether the additional dimensions in string theory can exist independently of the usual four dimensions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the universe can exist without the usual four dimensions of spacetime. There are competing views regarding the implications of string theory and quantum gravity theories.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific interpretations of string theory and quantum gravity, which may not be universally accepted. The discussion reflects varying assumptions about the nature of dimensions and the foundational aspects of theoretical physics.

Quds Akbar
Messages
124
Reaction score
6
I know that in relativity space and time form the fabric of the universe, and everything exists in space time, so I keep thinking, could the universe exist without space and time, could anything exist? Is there any idea in theoretical physics where the universe could exist without space and time, say String theory (can the other dimensions in ST stand alone without space and time)?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Quds Akbar said:
Is there any idea in theoretical physics where the universe could exist without space and time

Some candidate quantum gravity theories (such as loop quantum gravity) try to build the fundamentals of the theory without spacetime, and then model spacetime as an emergent property of those fundamentals. Questions about that should probably go in the Quantum Physics or Beyond the Standard Model forum, though.

Quds Akbar said:
say String theory (can the other dimensions in ST stand alone without space and time)?

String theory does not eliminate the ordinary 4 dimensions of spacetime that we see; it just adds others to them.
 
Quds Akbar said:
I know that in relativity space and time form the fabric of the universe, and everything exists in space time, so I keep thinking, could the universe exist without space and time, could anything exist? Is there any idea in theoretical physics where the universe could exist without space and time, say String theory (can the other dimensions in ST stand alone without space and time)?

In some string theory proposals, not all space is fundamental. For example, in AdS/CFT the theory is conjectured to be fundamentally 3+1 dimensional, from which a 4+1 dimensional spacetime emerges.
 
PeterDonis said:
String theory does not eliminate the ordinary 4 dimensions of spacetime that we see; it just adds others to them.
Yes but according to ST, can the universe exist without the usual 4 dimensions, can the rest of the dimensions stand alone?
 
Quds Akbar said:
according to ST, can the universe exist without the usual 4 dimensions, can the rest of the dimensions stand alone?

I don't see how, since, as I said, string theory does not eliminate the usual 4 dimensions, it just adds more to them.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Robert B. Laughlin (Physics Nobel Laureate, Stanford University)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Which theory of time is the most evidence-based?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
High School Is a Universe Without Mass and Energy Possible?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
Undergrad "Exploring Time Perception Across Different Regions of Space"
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
High School Can We Use Space/Time Fabric to See the Past?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Does the past of an observer still actually exist in their "now"?
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
6K
Graduate Does a truly static "Block Universe" allign with "experience" aspect?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
536
High School Is Einstein's Space-Time Theory Overfitted or Simply a Visualization Tool?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
High School The expansion of the Universe and time travel (By a non-scientist)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Traveling through space at zero km/s
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K