Stated Intent

Transformations Rule

According to Deutsch, the problem with current theories is that they do not adequately explain why some transformations between states of being are possible and some are not. We know, for instance, that dye can dissolve in water and cannot spontaneously clump back together – but we do not know why that must be so.

Deutsch proposes a framework built on the transformations themselves, rather than the components. 2. _________ Deutsch then asks which transformations must be ruled out to achieve a particular result, regardless of the constructor that caused it. In other words, which processes can happen to cause dye to dissolve in water, which ones cannot, and why?

Deutsch's vision can be seen as a generalisation of the second law of thermodynamics, says Vlatko Vedral, also at Oxford. This law encompasses the property of entropy, which says that order leads to disorder in a closed system. Entropy, in turn, implies that we cannot rewind time, because that would involve disordered matter moving towards order.

In Constructor Theory, the key would be figuring out why such a transformation would not be allowed. 3. _________ Laying that groundwork might explain, for instance, why the laws of quantum mechanics are so strict. Small variations in the way we describe quantum laws can lead to contradictions, such as a violation of the speed of light.

4. ________ If Constructor Theory can show which transformations are permitted and which are not, that would explain the very underpinnings of quantum mechanics, says Vedral.

Stated Intent

"It's tricky to see what this would look like," he admits. And for now, the new paper on Constructor Theory is only a statement of intent, says Vedral. 5. _________ But he is excited about the possibilities.

What Deutsch seems to be reaching for is a theory that goes beyond a computational view of the universe, says Seth Lloyd at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. Such a theory might not only help unify relativity and quantum mechanics, it might also show that they are necessary parts of the universe, answering the troubling philosophical question of why things are the way they are.

II. Fill in the gaps with the sentences below:

a. In asking those types of questions, Deutsch seems to want to apply the notion that some states are simply inaccessible from others to all physical laws, Vedral says.

b. "It's not yet at the level where you can recover existing physics."

c. Deutsch's vision for this "theory of everything" ties together ideas in cosmology, computation, philosophy and evolution to describe the nature of reality.

d. "As soon as you modify quantum mechanics, something goes wrong," he says. "Why is this? It's a puzzle."

e. Called Constructor Theory, this model defines a constructor as anything that causes transformations in physical systems without itself being altered, rather like a chemical catalyst.

III. Explain the words in bold.

IV. Find the word corresponding to the definition:

ñ ________ to include entirely or comprehensively;

ñ ________ any supporting structure or system;

ñ ________ to change the structure, character, intent, etc, of;

ñ ________ to go or cause to go into solution;

ñ ________ to regain (a former and usually better condition); to find again or obtain the return of (something lost);

ñ ________ to return to an earlier point;

ñ ________ a calculation involving numbers or quantities;

ñ ________ to make or become one; unite;

V. Fill in the gaps in the sentences with the words from ex. IV.

- The victims do not correspond to any physical class and _______ both genders.

- But Canada was not the jewel in the Crown In the 20th century, the story returns more to its economic _________.

- In this seasonal edition of Little Angels, sensible Dr Tanya Byron helps parents to ______ their behaviour towards their children.

- On a moderate ________, half the sheep in the province are infected with a disease which spoils both the flesh and the wool.

- Detergents are supposed to _______ hydrocarbons in water, making it easier for bacteria to break them down.

- The dream was to _______ The United Nations had been formed a few years earlier.

- I've been advised to take time off training to ________ from injury.

- He switched the control to the answer-play mode and waited for the tape to _______.

VI. Say if the statements are true, false or not stated:

- Deutch thinks contemporary physics is mainly factual, but lacks explanations.

- Being able to cause transformations, a constructor remains unchanged.

- Deutch's theory is based on the property of entropy.

- Deutch has found the reasons why the laws of quantum mechanics are so strict.

- There is little hope that the new theory will help to explain quantum mechanics.

VII. Answer the questions:

- In what way does the new approach differ from the traditional one?

- What fundamental mysteries does the long-awaited theory account for?

- What does the problem with current theories consist in?

- What is the new framework built upon?

- What does the property of entropy imply?

- What can be explained by Constructor Theory?

VIII. In small groups (4 – 5 people) role-play a debate between the followers of Constructor Theory and the supporters of the so-called “current theories”.

IX. Write an abstract of the article (7 sentences).

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