Barry Loewer and Eddy Chen: Do the Laws of Physics Actually Exist?
Barry Loewer and Eddy Chen: Do the Laws of Physics Actually Exist?  
Podcast: Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal
Published On: Mon Jun 16 2025
Description: Barry Loewer and Eddy Chen debate whether the laws of physics are mind-independent or human-made, spanning metaphysics, causation, free will, and quantum mechanics.0:00 The Nature of Physical Reality42:28 The Circularity of Scientific Understanding1:05:44 Reality Explored1:08:28 Describing Human Experience1:10:10 The Role of Science1:10:58 Understanding Motion and Laws1:12:19 The Nature of Laws1:14:55 Possible Worlds in Philosophy1:18:05 Configuration Space Debate1:21:10 Quantum Mechanics and Reality1:22:50 Metaphysical Necessity1:27:13 The Nature of Free Will1:30:14 Bridging Philosophy and Science1:32:05 Constraints and Freedom1:34:57 Philosophical Disputes1:39:08 The Journey of Learning2:05:16 Teaching and Learning Dynamics2:07:23 Closing ReflectionsSPONSORS:- I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOERESOURCES:- Barry’s published papers: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=n_RTOwO00oEC&hl=en- Eddy’s published papers: https://arxiv.org/a/chen_e_1.html- Neil Turok on TOE: https://youtu.be/ZUp9x44N3uE- Greg Chaitin on TOE: https://youtu.be/zMPnrNL3zsE- Leonard Susskind on TOE: https://youtu.be/2p_Hlm6aCok- Emily Adlam on TOE: https://youtu.be/6I2OhmVWLMs- Laws of Nature and Chances (book): https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Nature-Chances-Breathes-Equations/dp/0198907699- Laws of Physics (book): https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Physics-Elements-Philosophy/dp/100901272X- On the Plurality of Worlds (book): https://www.amazon.com/Plurality-Worlds-David-K-Lewis/dp/0631224262- Tim Maudlin on TOE: https://youtu.be/fU1bs5o3nss- Tim Maudlin and Tim Palmer on TOE: https://youtu.be/883R3JlZHXE- How Physics Makes Us Free (book): https://www.amazon.com/How-Physics-Makes-Us-Free/dp/0190269448- From Time Asymmetry to Quantum Entanglement (paper): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2006.05029- Jacob Barandes on TOE: https://youtu.be/7oWip00iXbo- Realism with a Human Face (book): https://www.amazon.com/Realism-Human-Face-Hilary-Putnam/dp/0674749456- Causation and Laws of Nature in Early Modern Philosophy (book): https://www.amazon.com/Causation-Nature-Early-Modern-Philosophy/dp/0199664684/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0- The Maniac (book): https://www.amazon.com/MANIAC-Benjamin-Labatut/dp/0593654471- When We Cease to Understand the World (book): https://www.amazon.com/When-We-Cease-Understand-World/dp/1681375664- Eddy’s paper on time and nature: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2109.09226- Join My New Substack (Personal Writings): https://curtjaimungal.substack.com- Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Become a YouTube Member (Early Access Videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdWIQh9DGG6uhJk8eyIFl1w/join- Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://nowpayments.io/donation/TOE- Support me on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=XUBHNMFXUX5S4- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices