Barry Loewer Λ Eddy Chen: The God Crutch: Do The Laws of Physics Exist?
Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal
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Intro
This chapter explores the philosophical debate on the existence and significance of physical laws through a dialogue between two speakers. It challenges listeners to reflect on the implications of these laws for concepts like free will and our understanding of existence.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Barry Loewer and Eddy Chen debate whether the laws of physics are mind‑independent constraints or human‑made descriptions, weaving metaphysics, causation, and probability into a lively discussion. The conversation spans from the nature of reality to free will, quantum mechanics, and the role of scientific laws.
- 00:00 - The Nature of Physical Reality
- 42:28 - The Circularity of Scientific Understanding
- 1:05:44 - Reality Explored
- 1:08:28 - Describing Human Experience
- 1:10:10 - The Role of Science
- 1:10:58 - Understanding Motion and Laws
- 1:12:19 - The Nature of Laws
- 1:14:55 - Possible Worlds in Philosophy
- 1:18:05 - Configuration Space Debate
- 1:21:10 - Quantum Mechanics and Reality
- 1:22:50 - Metaphysical Necessity
- 1:27:13 - The Nature of Free Will
- 1:30:14 - Bridging Philosophy and Science
- 1:32:05 - Constraints and Freedom
- 1:34:57 - Philosophical Disputes
- 1:39:08 - The Journey of Learning
- 2:05:16 - Teaching and Learning Dynamics
- 2:07:23 - Closing Reflections
SPONSORS:
- The Economist: 20% off discount - https://www.economist.com/toe
RESOURCES:
- Barry’s published papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=n_RTOwO00oEC&hl=en
- Eddy’s published papers: https://arxiv.org/a/chen_e_1.html
- Neil Turok on TOE: https://youtu.be/ZUp9x44N3uE
- Greg Chaitin on TOE: https://youtu.be/zMPnrNL3zsE
- Leonard Susskind on TOE: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok
- Emily Adlam on TOE: https://youtu.be/6I2OhmVWLMs
- Laws of Nature and Chances (book): https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Nature-Chances-Breathes-Equations/dp/0198907699
- Laws of Physics (book): https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Physics-Elements-Philosophy/dp/100901272X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CHA72RYFUOI8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OjkhTXRzZw_SWTMFZp8dUtREsTxacKuwg03AsLUUp6qLCuygS74CtEgujWl7wMvVEt-ErFEz-CfFLiiXTmuUCwKq0TW4WLFIA3DIhDNVaV4.gRuqaZldjUa8Kv_j1ew-CfZGQqtdt00X55fyMZ9NGD4&dib_tag=se&keywords=eddy+chen&qid=1749667626&s=books&sprefix=eddy+chen%2Cstripbooks%2C128&sr=1-1
- On the Plurality of Worlds (book): https://www.amazon.com/Plurality-Worlds-David-K-Lewis/dp/0631224262
- Tim Maudlin on TOE: https://youtu.be/fU1bs5o3nss
- Tim Maudlin and Tim Palmer on TOE: https://youtu.be/883R3JlZHXE
- How Physics Makes Us Free (book): https://www.amazon.com/How-Physics-Makes-Us-Free/dp/0190269448
- From Time Asymmetry to Quantum Entanglement (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2006.05029
- Jacob Barandes on TOE: https://youtu.be/7oWip00iXbo
- Realism with a Human Face (book): https://www.amazon.com/Realism-Human-Face-Hilary-Putnam/dp/0674749456
- Causation and Laws of Nature in Early Modern Philosophy (book): https://www.amazon.com/Causation-Nature-Early-Modern-Philosophy/dp/0199664684/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
- The Maniac (book): https://www.amazon.com/MANIAC-Benjamin-Labatut/dp/0593654471
- When We Cease to Understand the World (book): https://www.amazon.com/When-We-Cease-Understand-World/dp/1681375664
- Eddy’s paper on time and nature: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2109.09226
- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join
- Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- Support me on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9
- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
- 00:00 - The Nature of Physical Reality
- 42:28 - The Circularity of Scientific Understanding
- 1:05:44 - Reality Explored
- 1:08:28 - Describing Human Experience
- 1:10:10 - The Role of Science
- 1:10:58 - Understanding Motion and Laws
- 1:12:19 - The Nature of Laws
- 1:14:55 - Possible Worlds in Philosophy
- 1:18:05 - Configuration Space Debate
- 1:21:10 - Quantum Mechanics and Reality
- 1:22:50 - Metaphysical Necessity
- 1:27:13 - The Nature of Free Will
- 1:30:14 - Bridging Philosophy and Science
- 1:32:05 - Constraints and Freedom
- 1:34:57 - Philosophical Disputes
- 1:39:08 - The Journey of Learning
- 2:05:16 - Teaching and Learning Dynamics
- 2:07:23 - Closing Reflections
SPONSORS:
- The Economist: 20% off discount - https://www.economist.com/toe
RESOURCES:
- Barry’s published papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=n_RTOwO00oEC&hl=en
- Eddy’s published papers: https://arxiv.org/a/chen_e_1.html
- Neil Turok on TOE: https://youtu.be/ZUp9x44N3uE
- Greg Chaitin on TOE: https://youtu.be/zMPnrNL3zsE
- Leonard Susskind on TOE: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok
- Emily Adlam on TOE: https://youtu.be/6I2OhmVWLMs
- Laws of Nature and Chances (book): https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Nature-Chances-Breathes-Equations/dp/0198907699
- Laws of Physics (book): https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Physics-Elements-Philosophy/dp/100901272X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CHA72RYFUOI8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OjkhTXRzZw_SWTMFZp8dUtREsTxacKuwg03AsLUUp6qLCuygS74CtEgujWl7wMvVEt-ErFEz-CfFLiiXTmuUCwKq0TW4WLFIA3DIhDNVaV4.gRuqaZldjUa8Kv_j1ew-CfZGQqtdt00X55fyMZ9NGD4&dib_tag=se&keywords=eddy+chen&qid=1749667626&s=books&sprefix=eddy+chen%2Cstripbooks%2C128&sr=1-1
- On the Plurality of Worlds (book): https://www.amazon.com/Plurality-Worlds-David-K-Lewis/dp/0631224262
- Tim Maudlin on TOE: https://youtu.be/fU1bs5o3nss
- Tim Maudlin and Tim Palmer on TOE: https://youtu.be/883R3JlZHXE
- How Physics Makes Us Free (book): https://www.amazon.com/How-Physics-Makes-Us-Free/dp/0190269448
- From Time Asymmetry to Quantum Entanglement (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2006.05029
- Jacob Barandes on TOE: https://youtu.be/7oWip00iXbo
- Realism with a Human Face (book): https://www.amazon.com/Realism-Human-Face-Hilary-Putnam/dp/0674749456
- Causation and Laws of Nature in Early Modern Philosophy (book): https://www.amazon.com/Causation-Nature-Early-Modern-Philosophy/dp/0199664684/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
- The Maniac (book): https://www.amazon.com/MANIAC-Benjamin-Labatut/dp/0593654471
- When We Cease to Understand the World (book): https://www.amazon.com/When-We-Cease-Understand-World/dp/1681375664
- Eddy’s paper on time and nature: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2109.09226
- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com
- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e
- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join
- Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal
- Support me on Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/de803625-87d3-4300-ab6d-85d4258834a9
- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt
- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs
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