The limits of cosmology
arXiv:1001.4016
Abstract
What can we know about the universe? I outline a few of the fundamental limitations that are posed to our understanding of the cosmos, such as the existence of horizons, the fact that we occupy a specific place in space and time, the possible presence of dark components, the absence of a reliable physical framework to interpret the behaviour of the very early universe.
Third Prize of the 2009 FQXi Essay Contest "What is Ultimately Possible in Physics?"