Return of the God Hypothesis: Breakthroughs in Physics, Cosmology, and Biology Seeking Evidence for the Existence of God

by Stephen C. Meyer

Solving the Wheeler-DeWitt equation allows quantum cosmologists to construct a universal wave function (ψ) that describes possible universes with different possible gravitational fields. If our universe is included in the ensemble described by a universal wave function (ψ), quantum cosmologists will regard (ψ) as a description or explanation of the origin of the physical universe. This figure shows a mathematical expression called a “path integral” that is used to solve the Wheeler-DeWitt equation and construct the universal wave function (ψ). The arrows point to variables, functions, and boundary conditions that must be specified to solve the path-integral (and, thus, the Wheeler-DeWitt equation). Because the path-integral, like the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, logically precedes any mathematical expression describing possible universes or the origin of them (as the universal wave function ψ does), the path-integral does not itself describe a physical system. Consequently, there is no physical system that can determine the boundary conditions (or specify other mathematical parameters) that allow the path-integral to be solved. Instead, physicists themselves must determine these constraints. Quantum cosmologists invariably do this selectively with an end goal in mind, namely, constructing a universal wave function that includes a universe such as ours as a reasonably probable outcome.