
Barry Loewer Λ Eddy Chen: The God Crutch: Do The Laws of Physics Exist?
Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal
00:00
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.
Transcript
Play full episode
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The AI-powered Podcast Player
Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!