Why are the fundamental physics constants the way they are?

Use this forum to discuss the philosophy of science. Philosophy of science deals with the assumptions, foundations, and implications of science.
Post Reply
User avatar
GrayArea
Posts: 374
Joined: March 16th, 2021, 12:17 am

Why are the fundamental physics constants the way they are?

Post by GrayArea »

Scientists are still yet to discover why exactly the fundamental physical constants are composed of the specific numbers they are.

One of my so-called "hypotheses" that seems to make sense to me is that those numbers are decided by how much the physical constant affects our reality—as in, decided by the constants' role in the laws of physics. However, I don't think constants that are larger in number would not necessarily mean that those constants play a more significant role in the laws of physics—though the logic behind that specific belief is just from my intuition as of now.


Alternatively, these constants might be decided by how the physical constants subjectively "perceives", or "translates" (= reacting in a specific way to) the objective laws of physics, or vice versa. This is because any existing object or its phenomenon is made existing by the internal / the subjective (the inside of the object and the phenomenon) and the external / the objective (the universe / the entirety of the laws of physics that the object/phenomenon acts upon), as that is how anything sets its own existence apart from the rest of reality.
To be more specific, the specific number of the physical constant can be how the physical constant “translates” the laws of physics in its own subjective language that it runs in, which are numbers. Because numbers are the building blocks of existence. Numbers exist solely for the sake of existence.


One might ask, if [insert whatever phenomenon that possesses a physical constant]’s translation of the laws of physics is what makes the phenomenon and the physical constant exist, then how can it translate the laws of physics to begin with?


My personal answer on this matter would be that its act of translation does not lead to the creation of its existence through causality. Rather, the translation “is” its existence. They are synonymous.


Since what makes the physical constant exist the way they do is both “how the physical constant’s phenomenon reacts to the rest of the laws of physics” and “how the rest of the laws of physics reacts to the physical constant’s phenomenon”, the number of the physical constant may alternatively represent the ratio of the very interaction between those two sides—Instead of just being a one-sided product of the subjective translating the objective, it could be a two-sided product of both translating one another.
Each single digit can be assigned to the constant, determined by matching “what all the digit numbers mean to the number system” with “what the [whatever each of the digits mean/represent within the physical constant] means to that physical constant itself and the laws of physics—to reality itself”.
People perceive gray and argue about whether it's black or white.
User avatar
Pattern-chaser
Premium Member
Posts: 8265
Joined: September 22nd, 2019, 5:17 am
Favorite Philosopher: Cratylus
Location: England

Re: Why are the fundamental physics constants the way they are?

Post by Pattern-chaser »

I think such issues as these are made to seem worse by chronological misunderstanding. Once an event has happened, as has the setting of the values of these various constants, the probability of their having the values they do is 1. Before they were set, we don't really know what the probabilities might have been. But after, the value they ended up with is certain. Thus they are the values they are. Nothing more to say or consider than that. Chronology.

As to the topic title, "why?" questions are difficult. If you know the context (environment) within which the question is asked — and I mean to refer to a complete understanding — then the answer is already obvious. But without that knowledge, which we don't have here, a "why?" question cannot be answered.
Pattern-chaser

"Who cares, wins"
User avatar
Consul
Posts: 6036
Joined: February 21st, 2014, 6:32 am
Location: Germany

Re: Why are the fundamental physics constants the way they are?

Post by Consul »

"We may philosophize well or ill, but we must philosophize." – Wilfrid Sellars
User avatar
GrayArea
Posts: 374
Joined: March 16th, 2021, 12:17 am

Re: Why are the fundamental physics constants the way they are?

Post by GrayArea »

Pattern-chaser wrote: December 10th, 2022, 10:11 am As to the topic title, "why?" questions are difficult. If you know the context (environment) within which the question is asked — and I mean to refer to a complete understanding — then the answer is already obvious. But without that knowledge, which we don't have here, a "why?" question cannot be answered.
I wonder what you mean by the "environment within which the question is asked"? And how could we begin to know about it?
People perceive gray and argue about whether it's black or white.
User avatar
Pattern-chaser
Premium Member
Posts: 8265
Joined: September 22nd, 2019, 5:17 am
Favorite Philosopher: Cratylus
Location: England

Re: Why are the fundamental physics constants the way they are?

Post by Pattern-chaser »

Pattern-chaser wrote: December 10th, 2022, 10:11 am As to the topic title, "why?" questions are difficult. If you know the context (environment) within which the question is asked — and I mean to refer to a complete understanding — then the answer is already obvious. But without that knowledge, which we don't have here, a "why?" question cannot be answered.
GrayArea wrote: December 11th, 2022, 12:31 pm I wonder what you mean by the "environment within which the question is asked"? And how could we begin to know about it?
In this case, the context/environment of your question is the whole universe, so I suspect we can't and couldn't achieve a complete understanding, no matter what. Thus, we could never answer your "why?" question.

...

Except by guessing, of course. Or just making an answer up. We humans have a habit of doing both of those things, quite regularly...
Pattern-chaser

"Who cares, wins"
Alan Masterman
Posts: 219
Joined: March 27th, 2011, 8:03 am

Re: Why are the fundamental physics constants the way they are?

Post by Alan Masterman »

The anthropocentric fallacy revisited.

To ask "why do the constants have the value they do?" is to ask, "is there a higher, or underlying, in some sense hidden reality which determines these values?"

And this is where you have to be really careful where you tread. If you are of a superstitious turn of mind, you will probably take the turn to metaphysics, and appeal to "God's divine plan". On the other hand, if you are scientific by temperament, you might follow the scientific tradition by supposing that there must be a hypothesis, more general, more fundamental than any we have so far devised, which can explain this.
Alan Masterman
Posts: 219
Joined: March 27th, 2011, 8:03 am

Re: Why are the fundamental physics constants the way they are?

Post by Alan Masterman »

On reflection, I think my previous post was pretentious. I was following my own line of thought, not the line of the enquiry.

What is the significance of the "anthropocentric fallacy"? The basic idea is that, when we formulate a hypothesis to explain some aspect of the universe we live in, we naturally frame a hypothesis which is consistent with our own existence and - as far as possible - our current state of scientific knowledge. If it isn't thus consistent, we assume it must be incorrect.

This is liable to lead, if we are not careful, to the notion that the universe must have been specially designed to make our existence possible. But, on the contrary, it may be that the evolution of the universe follows rules according to which our own evolution is an incidental (and maybe even unwelcome) sideshow, just as modern DNA contamination is an unwelcome sideshow in archaeological science.
Post Reply

Return to “Philosophy of Science”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021