Q&A: Is the Universe a Mathematical Structure?
Is the Universe a Mathematical Structure?
Question
Here: https://www.hayadan.org.il/ground-problem-of-metaphysics-part-2-0704103 Marius Cohen tries to explain that the entire universe is a mathematical structure, and therefore no explanation is needed for how and why it exists, because it exists necessarily, like mathematics. (See there that this thesis is promoted by several scientists, although most of the scientific world opposes it.) What does the Rabbi think about this thesis?
Answer
I skimmed through it for a few minutes, and my impression was that, as I’ve already seen several times in the past, the man is confused and doesn’t know what he’s talking about. His claims here are not well defined (what does it mean that the universe is a mathematical structure? That it has a mathematical description? That’s almost trivial. That it itself is a mathematical structure? What does that even mean?). My third notebook explains why this is nonsense.
I think this question already came up once before.