Information and Physics

Vlatko Vedral

doi:10.3390/info3020219

Abstract

In this paper I discuss the question: what comes first, physics or information? The two have had a long-standing, symbiotic relationship for almost a hundred years out of which we have learnt a great deal. Information theory has enriched our interpretations of quantum physics, and, at the same time, offered us deep insights into general relativity through the study of black hole thermodynamics. Whatever the outcome of this debate, I argue that physicists will be able to benefit from continuing to explore connections between the two.

Highlights

For the Ancient Greeks, the route to the ultimate understanding of the universe was through geometry
This philosophy culminated with Einstein, whose general theory of relativity [2] is all about gravity being a particular kind of geometry of space and time
If quantum physics is best understood as a theory of information, can general relativity be brought closer to information theory? That might help us bridge the gap between the quantum and relativistic aspects of reality

Summary

Introduction

For the Ancient Greeks, the route to the ultimate understanding of the universe was through geometry. Already put physics before geometry [1]. He famously said that straight lines are only meaningful because they are implemented in practice by freely moving bodies. This philosophy culminated with Einstein, whose general theory of relativity [2] is all about gravity being a particular kind of geometry of space and time. The other half is, quantum physics, whose interpretation does not lend itself naturally to geometry. There is a strong belief, instead, that the branch of mathematics most useful for understanding quantum physics is information theory (see, for example [3])

Quantum Physics and Information

General Relativity and Information

Discussion and Conclusions