PSI Blog
20180718 Why does the universe exist?
The
universe exists because it cannot not exist. Nonexistence is impossible. That
is because nonexistence would require perfectly empty space, which is
completely imaginary. Space is one of the ideal end members of the empty
space-solid matter continuum. As with all idealizations, empty space and solid
matter cannot exist. According to “Infinite
Universe Theory,” everything in existence has both characteristics. We use
those idealizations to avoid hitting walls and to go through doorways even though
walls are not perfectly solid and doorways are not perfectly empty.
In
other words, the universe exists because empty space is impossible. The
universe produces an infinite number of things, but it cannot produce perfectly
empty space. Production requires the convergence of other “things”. “Perfectly
empty space” is not a thing, so the convergence of “nothing” to form more
“nothing” is oxymoronic. However, when we consider “space” as matter, it fits
our definition of matter as an abstraction for all things.[1] Also,
according to infinity[2]
, all things contain
other things. That is why we have never been able to find any perfectly empty
space[3]; and why
perfectly solid matter is impossible.[4]
Although
the infinite universe cannot be completely understood by anyone, we gradually
accumulate knowledge that allows us to survive and to “make sense” of our
surroundings. Again, the scientific answer to why the universe exists is simply
that it is impossible for it not to exist. When folks ask: “Why is there
something instead of nothing?” they are sensing “something,”
but only imagining “nothing.”
Idealists
inclined to ask these questions are unlikely to be satisfied by the
answer provided by Infinite Universe Theory.
That is because idealists tend to think in absolute terms. For them, space is
empty and matter is solid. By its nature, the infinite universe always “passes
the buck.” They will continue to ask the question: “But where did it all come
from?” Each thing in the infinite universe is a complex formed from still other
things in the universe. The nice, tidy finite universe of the Big Bang Theory
appeals because everything we have observed had a beginning. To finally realize
those observations do not apply to the universe as a whole is a grandiose step.
It is to finally reject cosmogony[5]
and to join the Last Cosmological Revolution.
[1] Borchardt,
Glenn, 2004, The Ten Assumptions of Science: Toward a new scientific worldview:
Lincoln, NE, iUniverse, p. 17 [http://go.glennborchardt.com/TTAOS].
[2] The
universe is infinite, both in the microcosmic and macrocosmic directions.
[3]
Absolute zero (0oK) cannot be obtained and the “vacuum” of outer space contains
enough matter to yield a temperature of 2.7oK.
[5]
The study of the origin of the universe. Cosmogony, of course, assumes that the
universe is finite and that it had an origin, with the additional implication
that it will have an ending (see also “Blog
20160330 The death of heat death”).
It exists so that we can pay taxes.
ReplyDeleteGlen, if empty space is not possible then how can matter move?
ReplyDeleteIf there is no empty space AT ANY LEVEL then everything would be matter (defined as something that occupies space and has inertia). The bottom line is, I don't see the necessary dialectic logic in your line of thought.
I don't know what others think, but to me this question, "why does the universe exist," is not a scientific one, but one for philosophers or religionists. Science is more about predicting the behavior of the physical substances, both large and small, in the universe. Pretending to be able to answer questions about why, using science, are in my humble opinion, more in the realm of scientism.
ReplyDeleteFrom Nick:
ReplyDeleteGlenn
Congratulations! Your post, "Why does the Universe Exist?", was at the top of the popularity list for all posts on the CNPS Facebook page. I imagine that was partly due to its being in the batch of relatively recent posts. However, I think that the post's "catchy" title was also a factor - people want answers to the "big" questions. (Or possibly there's a very large Glenn Borchardt fan club!) I think people visiting the CNPS website are also good potential viewers for being attracted by that title so you might add a news article on that topic to said website.
Incidentally, when I clicked on your post, I didn't see very much except for your short, initial post - I was expecting more - e.g., dialog on that topic - I think that for many, when you raise such a big question, you also raise people's expectations .
Nick
From Neil:
ReplyDeleteHi Glenn :)
Thanks for sending this to me :) I agree with every bit of it. It is so nice for me to be hearing someone, aside from me, saying all the same things I have known for a long time. You have a good way of expressing these understandings, which makes it easy for other people to grasp. And that is important.
We definitely should stay in touch!
Best Wishes,
Neil