Theory of Everything

Since Pro doesn’t want this debate to be entirely combative, which I’m fine with, I’ll only make my case this round and not address his untill latter. Modern PhysicsWhat we know as “modern physics” is comprised of quantum mechanics and general relativity. “These two theories are undoubtedly the twin pillars of modern physics, the foundations upon which our contemporary understanding of the Universe is built” [1]. Though we call them “modern”, both have had an illustrious history, and both have received consistent experimental validation. Quantum PhysicsQuantum physics is ”the most precisely tested and most successful theory in the history of science” [2]. I don’t need to get into Schroedinger’s equation or probability waves; just know that quantum mechanics is fundamental to modern physics. Think of quantum physics as the physics of nanoscopic scales at the order of a Planck constant, viz. the physics of the very very small. You should also know that classical mechanics isn’t compatible with QM. Try to apply classical laws to quantum particles, and you will become exceedingly frustrated, as were physicists in the early 20th century. General RelativityGeneral relativity is a gravitational theory formulated by Einstein. Newton had given us the law of universal gravitation, but the mechanism behind the force of gravity remained a puzzle until Einstein’s geometric theory of gravitation. GR stands as the modern description of gravitation. Under GR, gravity is a property of space and time, or spacetime. Like all sound theories, general relativity makes predictions. These predictions have been confirmed in all experiments and observations to date [3].Unification of GR and QR, and the Four Fundamental Forces of PhysicsDespite their success, a rather important issue remains: how can the two theories be reconciled? Unfortunately, a conclusive unified theory has escaped physicists’ grasp. This brings us to this debate. One of the central requirements of a theory of everything would be to unify quantum physics and general relativity--to unravel the gordian knot of modern physics. A further requirement is to unify the four fundamental forces of nature: the strong and weak forces, the electromagnetic force, and gravity [4]. String Theory, or M-TheoryString theory provides the most promising theory of everything. String theory abandons the point-like conception of particles in favor of one-dimensional loops. So, according to string theory, if you were to peer into the fundamental structure of particles you would find vibrating filaments--or strings--not point-like particles as commonly envisioned. Believe it or not, this simple trick is all it takes to provide a framework for the unification of general relativity and quantum physics. Under string theory, the properties of particles and the force particles of the aforementioned four forces of nature, are a manifestation of the different patterns of string vibration. According to Brian Greene, “from one principle—that everything at its most microscopic level consists of combinations of vibrating strands—string theory provides a single explanatory framework capable of encompassing all forces and all matter” [7]. It’s thus clear that string theory is a candidate for a theory of everything. The only reason why string theory would not be all-encompassing, would be because reductionism is false. But this debate presumes a theory of everything is feasible, and thus that reductionism is correct. Thus, under this debate’s assumptions of reductionism, string theory would lead directly to a theory of everything. John Shwarz and Michael Green ignited the first string revolution by showing in a “once-in-a-generation paper” [8] that string theory unified quantum physics and general relativity. String theory furthermore incorporates the four forces, which the standard model does not. “That string theory unites general relativity and quantum mechanics is a profound success. That it does so in a framework with the capacity to embrace the known particles and forces makes the success more than theoretically relevant” [8]. In the end, we'll only know if string theory is correct when experiments confirm it, "but a theory’s value is also assessed by the depth of influence it has on allied fields. By this measure, string theory is off the charts. Decades of analysis filling thousands of articles have had a dramatic impact on a broad swath of research cutting across physics and mathematics” [8]. For example, string theory provided an explanation for black hole entropy [9], which is a rather significant feat and attests to the fact that string theory does have practical power, not just theoretical. Though we have not experimentally proven string theory, its theoretical capabilities, ellegance, and explanatory power are enough to convince us that it is the best candidate for a theory of everything. Sources[1] http://link.springer.com...[2] http://www.4physics.com...[3] http://en.wikipedia.org...[4] http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu...[5] http://www.pbs.org...[7] http://www.pbs.org...[8]http://www.smithsonianmag.com...[9] http://www.phys.lsu.edu...