Building on the previous two articles, in which we discussed parallel worlds from historical and foundational scientific perspectives, this third article continues the conversation by exploring additional philosophical and scientific angles related to the subject of parallel worlds. If the existence of parallel worlds were to be confirmed, they would not be regarded merely as a geographical extension or an additional place. Rather, they would carry profound existential and epistemological ramifications. This raises a problem concerning the concept of truth: Should truth be seen as relative or absolute? Is truth perhaps a series of concurrent realities from which we receive only limited, selectively filtered “packets”? Similarly, questions arise about personal identity and human selfhood. If there are other versions of each of us in different universes, how do we define the concept of the “I”, its unity, and the “other I”? Moreover, do our decisions possess free will, either relatively or absolutely, if we assume that every possible outcome materialises in a separate branch of these universes?
From an epistemological perspective, numerous questions arise regarding the existence of parallel worlds, particularly in relation to science’s ability to comprehend the entirety of reality and the feasibility of experimental verification. Some scientific hypotheses fall into the category of the “non-falsifiable”, placing them beyond the reach of proof or refutation and making them closer to metaphysical propositions than to experimental science. Yet we cannot forget that throughout the history of science, some ideas originally deemed unverifiable or implausible eventually became scientific realities over time, thanks to the development of new tools that overcame the experimental hurdles once faced by these ideas. The theories of relativity and quantum mechanics are prime examples of such a transformation.
Recent decades have witnessed extensive research efforts involving well-known scholars such as Max Tegmark, who introduced a classification of different types of multiverses (from Level I up to Level IV). Tegmark suggests that what we term “mathematical laws” could be a precise description of all models of reality, thus proposing that the universe may be nothing more than a finely tuned mathematical structure. Meanwhile, physicist Sean Carroll has explored in his studies how different interpretations of quantum mechanics might interact. He views the many-worlds hypothesis as an elegant solution to several conundrums in quantum physics. Conversely, prominent voices in the field warn of the risks of what might be called “excessive escapism” towards multiverse models, especially in the absence of robust experimental tools. These physicists adhere to a strict scientific methodology that subjects any hypothesis to refutation or revision through experimentation and observation, ensuring that ambitious physical ideas do not devolve into a kind of “metaphysics” cloaked in pseudo-scientific garb.
Although there is no definitive consensus among physicists regarding the reality of parallel worlds, there is a relative agreement that modern mathematical models and contemporary theories increasingly suggest the plausibility of such a hypothesis. The greatest challenge lies in devising novel experimental and measurement methods that could potentially provide direct or indirect evidence. It is conceivable that scientific proof may emerge through sophisticated analyses of cosmological data or from the domain of quantum phenomena, particularly where these intersect with gravitational physics in the pursuit of a theory of “quantum gravity”, which itself remains an enigmatic frontier.
Nevertheless, the swift pace of scientific progress, especially in today’s smart digital revolution, points towards a promising future that may confirm or refute these mysteries. Extremely powerful and high-speed computers can simulate complex quantum phenomena, including the branching of universes, in a rigorous mathematical framework. Meanwhile, laboratories around the world are making determined efforts to detect gravitational waves generated by high-energy cosmic events (such as black-hole mergers and neutron-star collisions). Studying even slight distortions in these waves may offer deeper insights into the structure of spacetime and its dimensions, potentially granting us a scientific window onto the concept of parallel worlds.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
