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The Need for Quantum Cosmology

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Principles of Evolution

Part of the book series: The Frontiers Collection ((FRONTCOLL))

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Abstract

In this contribution I argue that cosmology is incomplete without the implementation of quantum theory. The reasons are twofold. First, the beginning (and possibly the end) of the cosmic evolution cannot be described by general relativity. Second, the extreme sensitivity of quantum systems to their environment demands that the Universe as a whole must be described by quantum theory. I give an introduction to quantum gravity and explain how this is applied to cosmology. I discuss the role of boundary conditions and the semiclassical limit. Finally I explain how the arrow of time and structure formation can be obtained from quantum cosmology.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The situation is different for an isolated quantum gravitational system such as a black hole; there, the semiclassical time of the rest of the Universe enters the description [8].

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Cologne, D-50937, Köln, Germany

    Claus Kiefer

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  1. Claus Kiefer
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Correspondence to Claus Kiefer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , School of Engineering & Science, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 8, Bremen, 28759, Germany

    Hildegard Meyer-Ortmanns

  2. , Inst. für Wissenschaft Komplexer Systeme, Medizinische Universität Wien, Währinger Gürtel 18 - 20, Wien, 1090, Austria

    Stefan Thurner

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Kiefer, C. (2011). The Need for Quantum Cosmology. In: Meyer-Ortmanns, H., Thurner, S. (eds) Principles of Evolution. The Frontiers Collection. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-18137-5_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-18137-5_8

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-18136-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-18137-5

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