# Laws of Physics and Logic See chapter 10 FOR. David Deutsch would likely argue that neither logic nor physics exists "outside" of the other, but rather they are deeply intertwined and mutually dependent aspects of reality. His writings suggest a perspective where logic provides the framework for understanding and describing physical reality, while physics constrains and informs our understanding of what is logically possible. Here's a breakdown of Deutsch's likely viewpoint, drawing on the provided sources and our conversation history: ● Physics Constrains Logic: Deutsch argues that our understanding of logic is shaped and limited by our knowledge of the physical world. For example, in our previous discussion, we explored how the concept of "proof" is not purely abstract but is constrained by physical limitations, such as the finite number of steps in a proof due to the finite nature of the universe. This demonstrates how physical laws influence what we consider logically valid and feasible. ● Proof as a Physical Process: Deutsch emphasizes that "proving" a proposition involves performing a physical computation, which establishes the truth of the proposition1. He argues that proof theory, the study of valid proofs, is inherently tied to our understanding of physics because it deals with how physical processes can accurately represent and manipulate abstract mathematical entities. This suggests that logic is not independent of physical reality but is instead grounded in the physical processes that allow us to carry out logical operations. ● Logical Properties are Grounded in Physics: In our discussion of how the environment rendered by a program is a "logical property," we saw that Deutsch considers these logical properties to be ultimately grounded in the physical processes that execute the program. While the program's logic defines the environment's potential, it is the physical execution of the program that brings that environment into (virtual) existence. This illustrates how logical potentialities become actualized through physical processes, highlighting the interdependency between logic and physics. ● Logic Provides the Framework for Understanding Physics: Conversely, Deutsch also acknowledges the crucial role of logic in comprehending and describing the physical world. He argues that scientific explanations rely on logical reasoning and deduction, allowing us to connect observations, derive predictions, and build coherent theories about how the world works. ● Computation as a Bridge Between Logic and Physics: Deutsch's emphasis on computation, particularly his assertion that the Turing Principle is a fundamental law of physics, further highlights the interconnectedness of logic and physics. Computation, which is based on logical operations, provides a framework for understanding how physical systems process information and generate complex behaviors, including the emergence of knowledge and intelligence. Therefore, Deutsch would likely reject the notion that either logic or physics exists "outside" of the other. He sees them as two interwoven aspects of reality: logic providing the rules and structure for understanding the world, and physics providing the context and constraints for what is logically possible. His perspective suggests a holistic view where logical reasoning is grounded in physical processes, while physical reality is rendered comprehensible through the lens of logic. --- Date: 20241214 Links to: Tags: References: * []()