Professor Felix Finster, a pioneer in reimagining physics foundations, joins to discuss his groundbreaking theory of causal fermion systems. He proposes that reality can emerge from quantum correlations, challenging traditional spacetime concepts. The conversation dives into the Dirac sea and insights on quantum mechanics, exploring how familiar laws might be rewritten. Finster also addresses the complexities of causation and the measurement problem, hinting at the next potential revolution in physics. This thought-provoking discussion emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness in scientific progress.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Resistance to New Ideas
Felix Finster shared his experience of resistance from physicists as a student with new ideas.
He was surprised that professors did not engage more openly with his novel approaches.
insights INSIGHT
Theory Reproduces Known Physics
Causal Fermion Systems reproduce classical physics and the Standard Model in limiting cases.
Few existing theories fully recover known physics while making novel predictions.
insights INSIGHT
Causation Emerges in Theory
Causation is understood as the past determining the future, prohibiting influence from future to past.
Causal Fermion Systems generate causal structures from more fundamental equations rather than assuming them.
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In this episode, I speak with Professor Felix Finster, a radical thinker reimagining the foundations of physics. We explore his theory of causal fermion systems, where reality emerges from quantum correlations—without assuming spacetime or geometry. From the Dirac sea to quantum gravity, this conversation challenges familiar concepts and offers a glimpse into where the next physics revolution might begin.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:12 The Origins of Causal Fermion Systems
06:55 Engaging with Alternative Theories in Physics
15:22 The Standard View of Causation
18:21 Classical, Quantum, and Pre-Quantum
23:06 How Spacetime Emerges from Disconnected Points
29:49 Recovering Lorentz Signature Without Assumptions
31:48 Recovering the Born Rule from First Principles
39:39 The Measurement Problem
46:20 Bounds on CSL Parameters
49:45 The Dynamics of Spacetime
57:47 Collaboration with Yao and Reflections on the Theory
1:03:13 A Quantum Gravity Theory Without Supersymmetry
1:05:28 The Dirac Sea
1:11:40 Addressing Infinite Energy in Semi-Classical Gravity
1:13:09 Octonions in the Vacuum Structure
1:17:32 Chirality and the Action Principle
1:20:33 Baryogenesis and Why Matter Exists
1:35:10 Rethinking the Strong CP and Hierarchy Problems
1:38:43 Recognition, Collaboration, and Growing Attention
1:54:00 Mathematical Criteria vs. Experimental Tests
2:01:02 Advice for Young Researchers
Links Mentioned:
- Felix's Papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F7ppNroAAAAJ
- Felix's Bio: https://www.uni-regensburg.de/mathematik/mathematik-1/startseite/index.html
- Causal Fermion Systems [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2405.19254
- Linear Dynamics of Wave Functions [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2101.08673
- The Principle of the Fermionic Projector [Book]: https://www.amazon.com/Principle-Fermionic-Projector-Advanced-Mathematics/dp/0821839748
- Baryogensis for Causal Fermion Systems [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2111.05556
- Holographic Mixing [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2410.18045
- Standard Model Physics from an Algebra? [Paper]: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1611.09182
- Barry Loewer & Eddy Chen [TOE]: https://youtu.be/xZnafO__IZ0
- Fay Dowker [TOE]: https://youtu.be/PgYHEPCLVas
- String Theory Iceberg [TOE]: https://youtu.be/X4PdPnQuwjY
- David Kaiser [TOE]: https://youtu.be/_yebLXsIdwo
- Ruth Kastner [TOE]: https://youtu.be/-BsHh3_vCMQ
- Amanda Gefter [TOE]: https://youtu.be/yABPvDJ6Zgs
- Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/7oWip00iXbo
- Eva Miranda [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6XyMepn-AZo
- Emily Adlam [TOE]: https://youtu.be/6I2OhmVWLMs
- Scott Aaronson & Jacob Barandes [TOE]: https://youtu.be/5rbC3XZr9-c
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Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal