Fotini Markopoulou - What is a Theory of Everything?

A 'theory of everything' is the ultimate workings of physics, the ideas and equations that undergird the physical universe at its deepest level. What can theory of everything explain? And what can it not explain? To have a theory of everything, what do you need? And if you get it, what can you do with it?



Fotini G. Markopoulou-Kalamara is a Greek theoretical physicist interested in foundational mathematics and quantum mechanics. She is a faculty member at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and is an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo.


Closer to Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[Grandunifiedcelery]

*When people try to make a theory of everything, they end up with a theory of anything which is a theory of nothing. - Fotini Markopoulou*

[el]

One of the most interesting Closer to Truth talks. A scientist with a a courageous philosophical grasp, without the bloated ego of an accomplished physicist.

[davidchamberlain]

Nothing is is universe is all a fleeting show for mans illusion given are all a part of gods will and love and light and life eternally for everyone to try and fight always for his favour and loving and overcoming always to our last breath.!!!!which will be a new breath into gods eternal light we

[Ploskkky]

I love her realistic, down to earth approach of the question.

[scrooge-mcduck]

We are but small fish in an aquarium probing what's on the other side of the glass with our small fish brains.

[seel]

It will always be difficult to have a theory of everything if infinity can never be calculated. The infinite space-time singularity where the Big Bang came from seems to be unfolding bottom-up out of nothing, but I suggest nothing can unfold without being unfolded, so perhaps the original infinite source is also unfolding top-down. If this source really is infinite, then surely the answer to the theory of everything will always be an immeasurable infinity.

[TheUltimateSeeds]

A so-called "Theory of Everything" that does not include an explanation for the existence of mind and consciousness, is not a theory of "EVERYTHING."

[Driven]

Titus 9:3 "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." What is real is? God and we are created in his own image. He made everything this is the only planet we are are ever going to live on. So let's stop being foolish and stop messing around in space. We need to take care of this planet he gave us. Its easier to believe in God and have faith that everything in the Bible is true. Than to believe something that a human being is trying to figure out and during the conversation says "something is missing." Well you can ask any true believer in Christ Jesus if they feel something is missing and they will tell you no. The relationship we were intended to have with God is restored when you accept the teachings and believe in Jesus Christ the son of God. When you pray and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. When you truly believe in Jesus that "something missing feeling" vanishes and you are filled with love, joy, and peace the Holy Spirit of God dwells in you deep inside your soul. You can feel it:)! That's true power right there. There is nothing that can fill that void but Jesus. There is nothing that can satisfy but Jesus. The world trys to fill the emptiness you feel inside with money, power, fame, relationship after relationship or Whatever feel good remedy is trending on Google. I am telling you when you have Jesus in your heart understanding life is so simple.

[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
― Plutarch

[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“It is not that I'm so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.”
― Albert Einstein

[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
― Albert Einstein

[alfredchow]

Theories are art. Art has it's own beauty, but I also believe in reality. An understanding of reality is also important.

[godigitalwebsite]

The theory of everything must be as simple to appreciate everything around but to understand everything that is totally impossible.

[GarryMah]

To me, this concept of "theory of everything" comes from the fact that we only have one universe. If we need one theory to explain the universe on large scale, and another different theory to explain the world of sub atomic particles, with both theories not being compatible with each other... then our current understanding is incomplete.
The Standard Model works very well up to a certain point, and then it stops working when we bring gravity in. But we can't ignore gravity because its a part of the same universe.
This is where the motivation comes from, to find a unified theory that can explain everything within a single framework.

[iDMaD]

isn’t it strange that we seem to have become so smart, in comparison to all other species, yet these truths still remain just beyond our grasp at every milestone

[tomdi-grazia]

IN WORDS THAT EVERYONE WHO SPEAKS ENGLISH WILL UNDERSTAND, IS THAT "A THEORY OF EVERYTHING" IS JUST PURE UTTER BULLSHIT.
tom di-grazia / Melbourne / Australia.

[lifeisshortpeace]

How can we understand everything if we depend on our five senses which science has proven that only perceived a small range of everything.our mind is the most powerful microscope to understand mind/ body and the universe.meditation is the key to understand ourselves and the universe.

[sypex_gg]

Awesome reconsideration and analysis of the big question in physics today!

[cvsree]

Everything is an illusion / dream like
If we assume (wrongly) physical world is real, we conclude that God is just imagination
It's like a person in my dream telling me that I don't exist

[jamesruscheinski]

Would help to have better understanding of space-time background before combining general relativity and quantum mechanics?