If alpha [the fine-structure constant] were bigger than it really is, we should not be able to distinguish matter from ether [the vacuum, nothingness], and our task to disentangle the natural laws would be hopelessly difficult. The fact however that alpha has just its value 1/137 is certainly no chance but itself a law of nature. It is clear that the explanation of this number must be the central problem of natural philosophy.
![If alpha [the fine-structure constant] were bigger than it really is, we Image](https://www.idlehearts.com/images/if-alpha-the-finestructure-constant-were-bigger-than-it-really-is-we.jpg?x85372 "If alpha [the fine-structure constant] were bigger than it really is, we")
