The multiverse is a hypothesis in cosmology and theoretical physics proposing that our observable universe may be only one of many, possibly infinitely many, universes that collectively make up all of physical reality, each potentially governed by different physical constants or laws. Versions of the idea arise independently from several different lines of physics, including eternal cosmic inflation, the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, and the enormous landscape of possible vacuum states predicted by string theory. Because other proposed universes would generally lie beyond any possible observation, the multiverse hypothesis remains scientifically contested, with critics questioning whether it is testable at all.
Facts
Concept Domain Formulated YearDates the coining of the word by James in a philosophical, non-cosmological sense; the modern scientific multiverse hypotheses (many-worlds, eternal inflation) developed independently, decades later. Proposed ByWilliam James, who used the term in a philosophical (non-cosmological) sense in 1895; distinct scientific multiverse hypotheses were proposed later and independently by others, including Hugh Everett III's many-worlds interpretation. 1 Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia, Multiverse, History of the concept - Modern science sectionQuote, Wikipedia, Multiverse, History of the concept - Modern science section
The American philosopher and psychologist William James used the term 'multiverse' in 1895, but in a different context.
Multiverse (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia, Multiverse, lead section
The multiverse is the hypothetical set of all universes. Together, these universes are presumed to comprise everything that exists: the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, information, and the physical laws and constants that describe them.
In Group: Cosmic Paradoxes and the Fate of the Universe, Lead sentence
The multiverse is the hypothetical set of all universes.
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