Is Complexity in the Universe Emergent from Simpler Systems?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BruceNakagawa
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Argument
AI Thread Summary
The discussion explores the idea that complexity in the universe may emerge from simpler systems, questioning whether the larger universe could be a simpler construct than its smaller components. Participants argue that quantum mechanics (QM) serves as the foundational structure from which complexity arises, emphasizing its linear time evolution operator as a fundamental simplicity. However, there are acknowledged fallacies within quantum mechanics, particularly regarding gravity and its relationship with large-scale structures. The conversation raises two key questions: the logical validity of the assumption that larger systems could be components of smaller ones, and what might prevent the quantum realm from being an emergent aspect of the larger universe. This inquiry into the nature of complexity and emergence invites further exploration of existing theories and their limitations.
BruceNakagawa
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
While discussing cosmology and quantum mechanics with a colleague, a strange idea began to emerge in our collective argument, and I was wondering if someone here could comment on the plausibility of this argument.

The argument goes as follows, if we establish as an absolute truth that complexity is emergent, the idea that complex systems can only naturally emerge out of simpler systems, if we treat this idea as a raw absolute, when we consider the fabric of reality as a whole what we perceive (from our limited perspective), is that the world of the very large, the entire universe as a single unit, is a much simpler construct than the components "within", complexity then appears to be emergent, we have small complexity when we treat the larger universe as a single unit and has a tendency into higher complexity in direct proportionality with smaller scales.

My question is then, is it plausible to assume that rather than being the quantum reality that produces the larger universe, couldn't it be in fact the opposite?

Has anyone proposed this as a theory before, and if so, can I read more about it?

Is this theory disprovable by something I'm failing to consider?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Quantum theory IS the simple structure from which complexity emerges. The very basic assumption of QM is that time evolution operator is linear. You cannot get simpler than that.
 
From strictly a LOGIC standpoint - if one offers a Specific example then goes on to provide a UNIVERSAL statement drawn from this example, the whole statement fails if you have ONE example that refutes the specific statement ( example - i have a cat, my cat has fleas, therefore all cats have fleas) refuted by one person having a cat that does not nor ever has had fleas. Now compare the general to specific ( all automobiles have four wheels, I own an automobile, therefore my automobile has four wheels...)
 
K^2 said:
Quantum theory IS the simple structure from which complexity emerges. The very basic assumption of QM is that time evolution operator is linear. You cannot get simpler than that.

Yes, but there are still fallacies within quantum mechanics and/or it's correlation with large scale structure such as the exact mechanism from which gravity emerges and what it actually is.

I have basically two questions.

First, in abstraction, is there any logical fallacy in the assumption that instead of big systems being produced by simpler ones, it could in fact be that big systems are in fact the components of smaller systems?

If the answer to the first question is illogical, please ignore the following question.

Second, considering that the first assumption is logically coherent, what specifically prohibits the quantum world of being an emergent aspect of the larger universe?
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
I am attempting to use a Raman TruScan with a 785 nm laser to read a material for identification purposes. The material causes too much fluorescence and doesn’t not produce a good signal. However another lab is able to produce a good signal consistently using the same Raman model and sample material. What would be the reason for the different results between instruments?
Back
Top