Anthropics Versus Determinism in Quantum Gravity

TL;DR

The paper argues for a deterministic approach to quantum gravity, emphasizing the role of self-dual points in phase-space duality for vacuum selection, contrasting with the anthropic principle in string theory.

Contribution

It introduces a perspective that quantum gravity should be deterministic and highlights the significance of self-dual points in phase-space duality for vacuum selection.

Findings

Quantum gravity may admit determinism.

Self-dual points are crucial in vacuum selection.

Challenges the anthropic principle in string theory.

Abstract

Recently the multitude of vacua in string theory have led some authors to advocate the anthropic principle as a possible resolution for the contrived set of parameters that seem to govern our universe. I suggest that string theories should be viewed as effective theories, and hence of limited utility rather than as ``theories of everything''. I propose that quantum gravity should admit a form of determinism and that the self-dual points under phase-space duality should play a prominent role in the vacuum selection principle.