# Synthesizing the Theory of Everything By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-03-05 There is an active argument in mathematical and scientific circles around the computational nature of the universe. Essentially, do closed-formed mathematical equations exist that explain "everything," or is the nature of the universe computational in nature without a closed-form solution? Put another way, is the universe a computer with many sophisticated if/then statements or an elegant series of equations? Before the proliferation of mathematical equations, the way to represent the world was via divine interventional and conventional wisdom. Getting people to see the value of mathematical equations to explain the elements of the universe was a significant struggle - ask Galileo. Those on the side of universal computation argue that the same battle is unfolding with the transition from equations to computations. Those on the side of equations say that computations are nothing but numerical equations and approximations, so they are equations but without the rigger of theoretical understanding and precision. It sounds like a similar argument between scientists and engineers (e.g., theory versus practical application). Regardless of the outcome of this debate, both approaches bring value in different ways - just as divine intervention and conventional wisdom are valuable in different ways. The synthesis of these approaches provides the best opportunity to make fruitful progress. Conventional wisdom brings with it a millennium of proof, equations provide symbolic representation, and computation explores the edges of ideas when equations and our minds fail to come to a coherent answer. It certainly can work in a different order. An enjoyable concert has many instruments playing together to achieve a beautiful outcome - even if that outcome is not for everyone. After all, all models are wrong, and we are only arguing about which model is less wrong under specific contexts. Thus, the argument has no scientific end, only a social normative end. #### Related Items [[Mathematics]] [[Computers]] [[Computation]] [[Science]] [[Wisdom]] [[Truth]] [[Facts]] [[Norms]] [[Society]]