BHA: Re: Critical Realism for Natural Sciences

["Marko Beljac" <beljac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bwanika,

 

I am somewhat puzzled by the argument presented here. As far as I am aware Hawking does indeed have a theory in regards to the origin and evolution of the Universe. In a joint paper with James Hartle in the 1980's entitled "wave function of the universe" Hawking and Hartle developed what is called the no boundary condition theory. Now this is an application of his Euclidean quantum gravity to the question of the origin of the Universe. Notice that this does not have anything to do with black holes.  Also it must be stressed that the Hartle-Hawking theory is quite speculative being an example of the genre of quantum cosmology. On the other hand Hawking's work on gravitational entropy, i.e. exploding black holes, must be a part of any quantum theory of gravity. For instance Juan Maladcena, a string theorist, has derived Hawking's gravitational entropy using string theory. So by no means is Hawking's theory on the origin of the universe an established theory. Indeed for years Hawking was arguing that the Universe is finite, that is that it will expand and eventually contract. But notice how this has flied right in the face of the recent discovery that the Universe is speeding up in its expansion, which could very well be the result of the vacuum or zero point energy what is called dark energy, meaning that the cosmological constant is non zero (which has string theorists increasingly in a spin) meaning that the universe will not contract, it will expand forever (this discussion is to ignore quintessence which may imply that the universes speed up is temporary). There is an interesting exchange between Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose in The Nature of Space and Time where Hawking emphatically states (before the recent discovery) he wants the universe to be finite because of the no boundary proposal whereas Penrose argues, given his approach to quantum gravity i.e. twistor theory, he wants the universe to be infinite and to keep on expanding forever! So Hawking could very well be wrong!

 

Evolution on the other hand is a tried and tested theory. It is objectively correct., although I am aware that in saying this I am inviting trouble! At any rate there is no connection between cosmology and evolutionary theory. If Hawking is wrong the evolutionary biologist would be quite right in exclaiming, so what!

 

 The second part of your thesis is very interesting with serious implications. I would be very interested in reading a further elaboration of it. Also in regards to black holes and evolution theory, does this steam from a reading of Lee Smolin?

 

Marko.

----- Original Message -----

From: dbbwanika@xxxxxxxxxxxx

To: bhaskar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2002 9:44 PM

Subject: BHA: Critical Realism for Natural Sciences

Listers!



I am trying to understand the link between Hawking's black holes, or rather the implosion and explosion of stars (death and creation) as an explanation of the beginning of the cosmos and it's link to the Darwinian evolution theory.

Rejecting one of the above theories, it appears to me will debunk the other, since the base argument is focused on material complexity and subsequent evolution. I've also read that evolution theory is rejected in some quarters, while on the one hand   quantum physics arguable applauded.

Extending the argument further, would it imply that the geo-processes or material existence is a process-in-product hence implying on Bhaskarian level, humans   in regard to  social, psychological and bio-processes are  products in process?

It appears to me, the above processes establishes the process kind to which i could imagine human beings come out as a finale in highly humane social beings? The question can also be put differently.


Bwanika.
--






















____________



Bwanika

url: http://www.uganda.co.ug
e-mail: dbbwanika@xxxxxxxxxxxx












__________________________________________________________________
Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/

Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/



     --- from list bhaskar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---