How many universes in multiverse?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence and nature of the multiverse, specifically addressing whether the number of universes within it is infinite or finite. Participants explore various theories related to the multiverse, including many worlds and eternal inflation, and consider implications for probability and physical configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the multiverse contains an infinite number of universes or just a large but finite amount, citing different estimates such as 10^10^10^7.
  • Another participant introduces their own theory, using the term "universum," and suggests that readers explore it for insights on the topic.
  • Some participants argue that the number of universes depends on the specific multiverse theory, with some theories suggesting a very large number that is practically infinite, while others may propose actual infinity.
  • A participant references the concept of "Transfinite" proposed by Georg Cantor as potentially applicable to the discussion of multiverses.
  • One participant provides an analogy involving macroscopic magnets and quantum mechanics to illustrate the idea of infinite configurations leading to infinite universes under the many-worlds interpretation (MWI).
  • Another participant challenges the notion of infinite configurations, referencing the Poincare recurrence theorem and suggesting there may only be a finite number of configurations within a bounded space.
  • A participant asserts that none of the answers provided are true and claims that the multiverse theories are flawed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the nature of the multiverse, with no consensus reached on whether the number of universes is infinite or finite, or on the validity of the theories discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions involve assumptions about the nature of physical configurations and the implications of quantum mechanics, which remain unresolved. The relationship between different multiverse theories and their implications for the number of universes is also not fully clarified.

t-dvty-prjct
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So, provided that the multiverse does in fact exist, are there an infinite number of universes in this multiverse or just a large amount? I've heard that the number is infinite and I've also heard the number is around 10^10^10^7. Also, if the number of universes is finite, how many universes are there, or if the multiverse is infinite, does that mean that any probability based situations could be dissmissed as coincidence as a result of an infinite number of chances for such a situation to occur?
 
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I wrote and published a theory on the subject recently. Although I use the term "universum" instead of "multiverse". It's a mixture of the words "universe" and "sum". Well hard to say how many but I would advise you to read it since you like the subject.
 
That depends on the theory that contains multiverses eg many worlds, eternal inflation etc etc. For the ones I am aware of it's very very large - for all practical purposes infinite - but not actually infinite. There may be some that are actually infinite - but I am not aware of them.

Thanks
Bill
 
bhobba said:
That depends on the theory that contains multiverses eg many worlds, eternal inflation etc etc. For the ones I am aware of it's very very large - for all practical purposes infinite - but not actually infinite. There may be some that are actually infinite - but I am not aware of them.

Thanks
Bill

So I guess "Transfinite" a concept proposed by Georg Cantor would by definition fit this perfectly.
 
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According to my-go-to Professor in New Zealand on Quantum Mechanics matters:
A good example of this is a macroscopic magnet. A macroscopic magnet is formed from very many microscopic magnets, i.e., the magnetic atoms from which the magnetic material is formed. When the magnet is hot, all the little atomic magnets are randomly aligned, so the macroscopic magnet is not magnetized. If we cool things down, eventually a temperature is reached at which all the little atomic magnets line up with one another, so the macroscopic magnet is then magnetized. This lining up can take place in any direction; this, there are infinitely many possible alignments of the atomic magnets (physical configurations). Within quantum mechanics we can have a superposition of all those possibilities.
... so if MWI is correct, there'd be an infinite number of universes containing the various alignments of atomic magnets.
 
StevieTNZ said:
According to my-go-to Professor in New Zealand on Quantum Mechanics matters:

... so if MWI is correct, there'd be an infinite number of universes containing the various alignments of atomic magnets.

I was under the impression that there was only a finite number of configurations within a finite/bounded space? Hence the Poincare recurrence theorem.
 
None of the answers are true, the multiverse theory/theories are flawed.
 
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