Is our universe unique, or are there many universes?

Question

Andrei Linde at Stanford has brought forward the cosmological model of a multiverse, which he calls the "self-reproducing inflationary universe." The theory is based on Alan Guth's inflation model, and it includes multiple universes woven together in some kind of spacetime foam. Each universe exists in a closed volume of space and time. Linde's model, based on advanced principles of quantum physics, defies easy visualisation. Quite simplified, it suggests quantum fluctuations in the universe's inflationary expansion period to have a wavelike character. Linde theorises that these waves can "freeze" atop one another, thus magnifying their effect.

The stacked-up quantum waves can in turn create such intense disruptions in scalar fields -the underlying fields that determine the behaviour of elementary particles- that they exceed a critical mass and start procreating new inflationary domains. The multiverse, Linde contends, is like a growing fractal, sprouting inflationary domains, with each domain spreading and cooling into a new universe.

If Linde is correct, our universe is just one of the sprouts. The theory neatly straddles two ancient ideas about the universe: that it had a definite beginning, and that it had existed forever. In Linde's view, each particular part of the multiverse, including our part, began from a singularity somewhere in the past, but that singularity was just one of an endless series that was spawned before it and will continue after it.

Your thoughts?

Blessings

EnlightenedOne · Accepted Answer

I had not heard this theory before. My understanding is that physics sees our universe arranged as a mobius strip which would suggest no beginning or end, just as a one dimensional surface can be constructed from a two dimensional surface. Would this be just a local construct for our universe within Linde's theory?

? · Answer

We aren't fully sure yet but the chances are that there are many universes out there! Maybe our universe is unique or maybe there are many similar ones, we cannot tell. Scientists have actually found the first proof of other universes or something beyond our universe. Maybe if there are other universes they might have completely different laws of nature (as in gravity etc...). If you really are interseted you should read up on the link below.

Diogenes · Answer

I love cosmology.   If Andrei Linde has suitable mathematics to back up his conjecture, I'm intrigued.  The trouble is, without physical experimentation, Multiverse theory is doomed to never be provable.  Not really science, but rather a sort of mathematical philosophy--like String theory, the math works perfectly, but it can't be physically verified.  Not yet useful science, but certainly worth thinking about.

claptic · Answer

Vanity of vanities, there is nothing new under the sun, ours or any other.   What a small mind and imagination that would think we are the only ones in a never ending Kosmos.   From such do we find materialism spawned, the senses differentiated paralyzing the higher faculty of understanding, spiritual intuition being burned at the stake, and orthodoxy becoming a license to hate.     Blessings to you as well

hadron · Answer

Every single theory regarding the multiverse is solely conjecture. Once there is sufficient proof for one theory, I will subscribe to it. Until then, the best we can do is guess.

Anonymous · Answer

There is no evidence for any other universe so that would make this one, one of a kind. So please dont break it.

gluonfethers · Answer

kinda like a giant strobe.....

fmko ( 無神論者は神を知っていない。) · Answer

we don't know...but either way it still needs a first cause...

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Is our universe unique, or are there many universes?

8 Answers