Abstract
Physical theories are expected to explain the phenomena around us. Algorithmically, this means that a computer program simulating the dynamics of a certain physical system must be able to predict experimental results. Fundamental theories, in addition, are also expected to help us understand the ultimate nature of reality. I here propose that a theory is fundamental if it is conceptual and general. A conceptual theory is one that can be instantiated by a short computer program, whereas a general one is applicable to a large variety of situations. This algorithmic view of the construction of physical theories may be paralleled with the development of formal systems in mathematics. The parallelism between the two disciplines may even be stretched as far as to question the realism of the most basic ontological entities in the phenomena accessible to us.
Ines Samengo