What Does John A. Wheeler's 'Participatory Principle' Mean for Modern Cosmology?

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John A. Wheeler's "Participatory Principle" suggests that observers are integral to the universe's existence, implying that without observation, the universe's fundamental components could not exist. This principle emphasizes the role of observer-participancy in shaping reality, rooted in quantum mechanics. Its application to modern cosmology raises philosophical questions about the nature of observation and reality, highlighting the limitations of our understanding. While it provides a framework for considering observational constraints, it does not necessarily lead to definitive answers in cosmological studies. Ultimately, the principle invites deeper exploration of the relationship between observation and the universe.
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What did John A. Wheeler mean when he said "Participatory principle. According to it we could not even imagine a universe that did not somewhere and for some stretch of time contain observers because the very building materials of the universe are these acts of observer-participancy. You wouldn't have the stuff out of which to build the universe otherwise. This participatory principle takes for its foundation the absolutely central point of the quantum."?

Central point of the quantum?

How if at all can we apply this principle to modern Cosmology?
 
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Philosophy is the short answer. Wheeler merely acknowledges observational constraints. This is a valid way of looking at the big picture, which does not necessarily result in a big answer.
 

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