What is the Probability of Multiple Universes?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of there being infinite or countless universes, but acknowledges that there is currently no empirical evidence to support this idea. The historical perspective is also mentioned, with the notion that previous cultures believed they were the center of the earth, and the idea of cultural logic being used to make assumptions about the existence of other universes and extraterrestrial life. However, the speaker argues that science is based on empirical evidence, not cultural logic, and that currently there is no evidence for multiple universes. The conversation concludes with a humorous mention of the "sock abyss" concept.
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applebob
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There are likely to be infinite, or at least countless universes out there. We haven't seen them because any signs of their existence, such as wavelengths along the EMS, may very well take trillions of years go get here, and also may very well be too faint to detect from the astronomical (excuse the pun) distances away.

From a historical standpoint, most cultures believed that they were the center of the earth, i.e., the mediterranean was once believed to be all that was. Then it was Earth with the heavens around it, then our solar system, our galaxy, etc. Based on cultural logic, we are, more than likely, incorrect about assuming that ours is the only universe, that aliens don't exist, and that socks disappear into a 'sock abyss'.
 
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applebob said:
There are likely to be infinite, or at least countless universes out there. We haven't seen them because any signs of their existence, such as wavelengths along the EMS, may very well take trillions of years go get here, and also may very well be too faint to detect from the astronomical (excuse the pun) distances away.

I would say that one cannot claim it is likely at all, as we have no knowledge of other universes, or even the possibility of their existence.

From a historical standpoint, most cultures believed that they were the center of the earth, i.e., the mediterranean was once believed to be all that was. Then it was Earth with the heavens around it, then our solar system, our galaxy, etc. Based on cultural logic, we are, more than likely, incorrect about assuming that ours is the only universe, that aliens don't exist, and that socks disappear into a 'sock abyss'.

Irrelevant. We do not do science based on "cultural logic", whatever that is. We base it on empirical evidence, of which there is absolutely none for other universes. Realize that we don't just "assume" that there is only one universe. We simply cannot say that there is anything more than 1 universe due to lack of evidence as, again, science is based on evidence, not what you or I think is logical and probable or not. Even if we find evidence for multiple universes in the future, we are not "wrong" with our current view, as nothing anywhere in science says that there is ONLY one universe. (Although the formal definition is usually taken to be "all that exists", so there cannot be more than one by that meaning)
 
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  • #3
applebob said:
There are likely to be infinite, or at least countless universes out there. We haven't seen them because any signs of their existence, such as wavelengths along the EMS, may very well take trillions of years go get here, and also may very well be too faint to detect from the astronomical (excuse the pun) distances away.

From a historical standpoint, most cultures believed that they were the center of the earth, i.e., the mediterranean was once believed to be all that was. Then it was Earth with the heavens around it, then our solar system, our galaxy, etc. Based on cultural logic, we are, more than likely, incorrect about assuming that ours is the only universe, that aliens don't exist, and that socks disappear into a 'sock abyss'.

As of today it is pure guesswork, IMO.

I kind of like the sock abyss concept though. It's about time someone put that to a rigorous test.
 

1. What is a polyverse?

A polyverse is a hypothetical concept in cosmology that suggests the existence of multiple universes or alternate realities in addition to our own observable universe.

2. How is the likelihood of polyverses determined?

The likelihood of polyverses is currently unknown and cannot be determined through scientific evidence or observation. It remains a theoretical concept that is debated among scientists and philosophers.

3. What is the evidence for polyverses?

There is currently no concrete evidence for the existence of polyverses. Some scientists argue that the theories of quantum mechanics and the multiverse can provide support for the existence of polyverses, but this is still a highly debated topic.

4. Can polyverses be proven or disproven?

As polyverses are a theoretical concept, they cannot be proven or disproven through scientific methods. The existence of polyverses remains a philosophical and theoretical debate in the scientific community.

5. What implications would the existence of polyverses have on our understanding of the universe?

If polyverses were proven to exist, it would have significant implications on our understanding of the universe and our place within it. It would challenge our current understanding of space, time, and the laws of physics, and raise questions about the nature of reality and the existence of other forms of life.

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