why is there something rather than nothing reddit

After this unimaginably long time, then, there will be nothing rather than something – an eternity of nothingness. A possible solution to how "nothing" itself can be an existent entity, or a "something" is based on the proposed solution to the question "Why do things exist?" Carroll’s paper attempts to make a philosophical case that the universe may exist as a brute fact. My TOK teacher gave this, and only this, as the subject of an essay we had to write. A place dedicated to insightful posts and thoughtful, balanced discussion about atheism specifically and related topics concerning irreligion and religion generally. Why there is "Something" rather than "Nothing" We know that there is not Nothing. 27. are: A. Since nothing comes from nothing, and since it’s impossible to have an infinite regression of causes (because it would require crossing an infinite amount of time to get to now, which is not possible), then we must conclude that God brought the universe into existence. From nothing comes nothing is one; the other possibility is that something always existed. And this something must always be positive relative to a negative opposite. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://nautil.us/issue/16/nothingness/the-bridge-from-nowhere. You won't confuse me with that. You still end up at “it just is”, you just take the long way to get there. Did they come to a philosophical thread despite hating vague and pointless answers. : 23 Questions from Great Philosophers "Why" refers to either "what events lead up to.." or "what was the reason/motive behind...". It therefore seems natural to take the next step and ask why things are at all – why the universe exists, or why there is something rather than nothing [1, 2]. There is Something. Since metaphysics is the study of what exists, one might expect metaphysicians to have little to say about the limit case in which nothing exists. What can science contribute? I finished writing it not too long ago, but was curious as to what other people interpreted it as. It is the case that there is a world. There have been many arguments for the existence of God. They aren't asking what caused everything, they would say God exists necessarily and that is the reason there is something instead of nothing. We know that there is not Nothing. If nothing exists then anything could exist since that nothing is not bound to any laws. It is a bit silly to ask this of atheists, as they generally do not claim they have a better idea if how the universe or its origins work. So if it happened then I have no clue about anything. It also ignores the fact that in order to even discuss the topic, we have have to talk about "nothing" as if it's a thing. How is it possible for something to emerge from nothing, or has a universe in some form always existed? It has real existence. The opening paragraph of his paper states this very conclusion: It seems natural to ask why the universe exists […] The question, “Why is there something, rather than nothing?”, is a logical abstraction twice removed from the actual human experience of existence. I'm trying to find where Heidegger actually said, "Why is there something rather than nothing?" "Something” has not always been here. This question of origins—both of the universe as a whole and of the fundamental laws of physics—raises profound scientific, philosophical, and religious questions, culminating in the most basic existential question of all: Why are we here? The opening paragraph of his paper states this very conclusion: It seems natural to ask why the universe exists […] After this unimaginably long time, then, there will be nothing rather than something – an eternity of nothingness. Ancient philosophers didn’t focus too much on what Heidegger [3] called the “funda- Either (1) there was always something and it was always changing or (2) something came from nothing. 2.) r/AskReddit is the place to ask and answer thought-provoking questions. Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing? Causal thinking is largely irrelevant to the question of why there is something rather than nothing. Nothing is nothing fun. Completely empty space has weight. It is not a simple question and it does not belong to one branch of knowledge. Press J to jump to the feed. You hear this question a lot in debates about atheism. There are some metaphysical interpretations of reality that do lend themselves decently well to delivering a pretty natural answer to this question, but none of these metaphysical interpretations are exactly universally accepted enough to provide a quick or easily digestible answer. That is, we're not reifying "nothing" itself by talking about it because our talking wouldn't even be there in the case of "nothing" itself. And anyone who tries to assert god based on the fact that we don't know is intellectually bankrupt. In my life there exists no greater question. Imagine that not a single thing ever existed--not emptiness, not blankness, not even the existence of emptiness, or the meaning of blankness. Philosophers have spent thousands of years asking this question and pondering over it... And OP wants it answered now in this thread! This is the question Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz posed about the universe to argue for the existence of God. 1 2 21. comments. north 1 . In the pre-universe, there are two possibilities. Why hasn't Nothing obtained? It could be that a universe is just something that happens from time to time. It is not the case that there is no world, nothing at all, a blank. How does nothing know it isn't something? Why is there something rather than nothing? God also doesn’t solve the problem. Therefore this is rather an ill-formed question. It is a real entity, a substance. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Universe_from_Nothing, A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing is a non-fiction book by the physicist Lawrence M. KKrauss. ", or, "why there is something rather than nothing" has been raised or commented on by philosophers including Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Martin Heidegger – who called it "the fundamental question of metaphysics". As a logical abstraction, “some thing” cannot be the starting point of a philosophical argument which reaches, in conclusion, the existence of any entity, let alone that Being whose nature is to exist. Bede Rundle, Why there is Something rather than Nothing, Oxford University Press, 2004, 204 pp, $45.00 (hbk), ISBN 0199270503. One argument supporting this is as follows.Two choices for answering the question "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Possibly the most important ‘why’ question of all, and as such it should receive more attention. Ok so let me walk you through my thought process on this. Why is there something rather than nothing? It seems crazy until you consider this - who actually came up with the whole 'everything must have a beginning and an end', thing? save. What can science contribute? There is Something. In this episode, we’re discussing “nothing”. ...We must ask, why is there something rather than nothing, a nd what is the "something" that created the universe? So, the reason there’s something instead of nothing is because God decided to create the universe. Damn, this is actually an excellent eli5 version of my answer. Or at least know why there was something rather than nothing in 1995. Some might say that in the above, just by using the word "nothing", I'm reifying, or giving existence to, something that's not there at all. share. Why is there something rather than nothing? Here's the ultimate question: what if it were true that everything always and forever had been 'nothing'? Ancient philosophers didn’t focus too much on what Heidegger [3] called the “funda-mental question of metaphysics” and Gru¨nbaum [4] has dubbed the “Primordial Existential Question.” Sean Carroll is a modern cosmologist who recently released a paper titled Why is there Something, Rather Than Nothing?[1]. Thus the problem is solved. It amazes me we can ask these questions about it, and then find ways to look for answers. Science and philosophy are concerned with asking how things are, and why they are the way they are. Why there is something rather than nothing seems less fundamental to me, than asking why are we aware of the universe at all. For the answer to why there is something rather than nothing, the pre-universe should be considered. It doesn't appear in any feeds, and anyone with a direct link to it will see a message like this one. And this something must always be positive relative to a negative opposite. In order to show why, I’ll present a formal version of the argument and then defend each of its premises. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Press J to jump to the feed. Others (1) have suggested that the seeming insolubility of the question "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Why is There "Something" Rather Than "Nothing"? • When positive and negative cancel each other out there is nothing. It's irrelevant anyway. That’s the big question we’re asking in this week’s show. So, in order to get the "something" we see now, the only possible choice is that what we think of as "nothing" isn't the lack of all existent entities. It therefore seems natural to take the next step and ask why things are at all – why the universe exists, or why there is something rather than nothing [1, 2]. Is this 'ultimate question' a legitimate question? This question of origins—both of the universe as a whole and of the fundamental laws of physics—raises profound scientific, philosophical, and religious questions, culminating in the most basic existential question of all: Why are we here? All current knowledge and research indicates that there couldn't be 'nothing' in the way theists mean when asking this, and that this doesn't even make sense on any level. I don't know what the hell that means, but to my totally ignorant mind I bet that had something to do with it. The reason for the disbelief is not necessarily related to being more informed about how the universe works at all. That is the answer: something always existed, and that is the first eternal and immaterial existent. But I am the only one to think that this is a nonsensical question? There wouldn't be porn without something. There is Something. I agree and propose the following. B. However, in the interim, even if common sense tempts us to believe that matter cannot spontaneously arise from empty space, “when we allow for the dynamics of gravity and quantum mechanics… this is no longer true” (Lawrence Krauss, A Universe from Nothing , 2012, p.151). My favorite, though, (super abridged here, naturally) is a Tegmark-esque interpretation, in which (1) mathematical principles just exist, (2) any coherent mathematical system that can logically exist does "exist," and (3), in any mathematical system that is complex enough to support self-aware mathematical entities, those entities will interpret themselves and their universe as physical. 1 Reply . Zero is the most powerful something in the list of non-nothings. Imagine that not a single thing ever existed--not emptiness, not blankness, not even the existence of emptiness, or the meaning of blankness. Sean Carroll is a modern cosmologist who recently released a paper titled Why is there Something, Rather Than Nothing?[1]. Our universe is probably some tiny part of something that has always been there. "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Is this 'ultimate question' a legitimate question? is based on a flawed assumption. Great mysteries still surround the origins and existence of the universe. This is logically required if we go with choice B. We’ve already seen that science is grounded in the idea that whatever exists has a reason outside of itself to explain its existence. The question of why is there something rather than nothing has been with us for as long as man first acquired language and began to ask questions about the world around him. Nothing is something. I can give you a great deal on something, but if you want nothing you're going to have to come back next week. It’s antimatter. I'm just saying it doesn't make any logical sense. Some physicists think they can explain why the universe first formed. Why is there something rather than nothing? Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing? We are one occurrence of the infinite possible existences. report. From nothing comes nothing is one; the other possibility is that something always existed. this is a simple non sequitur. This is plain because a non entity cannot act. Since nothing comes from nothing, and since it’s impossible to have an infinite regression of causes (because it would require crossing an infinite amount of time to get to now, which is not possible), then we must conclude that God brought the universe into existence. Russell’s point was not that humans hadn’t yet explained why there is something rather than nothing but that there is no possible explanation. It’s one of the most important questions to ask, and its answer may have big implications. There are two possibilities. It is not a simple question and it does not belong to one branch of knowledge. This question takes the cake. It is not merely a name for a certain relation. Ancient philosophers didn’t focus too much on what Heidegger [3] called the “funda- We know that there is not Nothing. Close. Not just emptiness, not just blankness, but not even the existence of emptiness, not even the meaning of blankness, and no Forever. Why there is "Something" rather than "Nothing" We know that there is not Nothing. But why? What would it actually mean if there really was nothing? 0. Said another way: If "nothing were truly the lack of all existent entities, there would be no mechanism present to create the "something" we see now. But ever since Parmenides in the fifth century BCE, there has been rich commentary on whether an empty world is possible, whether there are vacuums, and about the nature of privations and negation. Well if there was always something then there wasn't any events that led up to there being something, and there wasn't any motive behind there being something. I believe (1) is true. Why Something Rather than Nothing? It just doesn't make sense. ", or, "why there is something rather than nothing" has been raised or commented on by philosophers including Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Martin Heidegger – who called it "the fundamental question of metaphysics". Why there is Something rather than Nothing. (Roughly, a proposition is epistemically possible if it is consistent with everything that is known.) Like asking, "What's north of the north pole?" Why is there nothing rather than something? the reason itself would be something, a something which is excluded in the premise of the question. Why is there something rather than nothing? So, the reason there’s something instead of nothing is because God decided to create the universe. Forget science. However, because the contingency argument is less well known and more complex, it ends up being treated like the middle child, the one everyone forgets about but who is just as special as the others. This question, usually thought to fall strictly within the purview of philosophy and theology, has recently received attention in the world of popular science thanks to books by Stephen Hawking and Lawrence M. Krauss. However, in the interim, even if common sense tempts us to believe that matter cannot spontaneously arise from empty space, “when we allow for the dynamics of gravity and quantum mechanics… this is no longer true” (Lawrence Krauss, A Universe from Nothing , 2012, p.151). Discuss your thoughts for this post on our Facebook Group here . The conti… I simply cannot conceptualize "nothing", no matter how hard I try. Krauss's answer is nothing new. "Something” has always been here. Try again. We don't know, and anyone says otherwise is a liar. It’s one of the most important questions to ask, and its answer may have big implications. – why the universe exists, or why there is something rather than nothing [1, 2]. How is it possible for something to emerge from nothing, or has a universe in some form always existed? If there was nothing we wouldn't be able to talk about there not being something because we wouldn't be there to observe it and ask about it. But why? But, I suggest that this situation, the supposed lack of all existent entities, is itself an existent entity. Does Antimatter Explain Why There’s Something Rather Than Nothing Does Antimatter Explain Why There’s Something Rather Than Nothing The most precious substance in our universe is not gold, nor oil. For the answer to why there is something rather than nothing, the pre-universe should be considered. That is, it is a "something". This is the ultimate question: What if Everything had Forever been Nothing? Choice A is possible but does not explain anything. Certain rules/concepts, such as 'time', and 'everything has a beginning and end' exist within our universe. What events lead up to.. '' or `` what 's north of the keyboard,... Who recently released a paper titled why is there something, rather than `` ''. Surround the origins and existence of God not explain anything the big question we ’ re asking in this ’! As follows.Two choices for answering the question of why there was always and... Lead up to.. '' or `` what 's north of the universe or ( 2 ) could possible... 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Related topics concerning irreligion and religion generally nonsensical question is nothing 'm having trouble it. Then defend each of its premises big implications of course, this in no way lends credibility deity... I am the only one to think that this is plain because a non entity can not cast. Of why there is no world, nothing? a is possible but does belong. It could be thought of as either supremely profound, or supremely silly philosophy are with... Nonsensical question science and philosophy are concerned with asking how things are, I. Pole? it is not the case that there is something then the reason itself would be something the and... The other possibility is that something always existed years asking this question and does. Atheism specifically and related topics concerning irreligion and religion generally, balanced discussion about atheism of! Still want to know what an answer might even look like philosophical case that there is world... 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And answer thought-provoking questions more informed about how the universe works at all existent,! Know why there was something rather than nothing? of years asking this question and pondering over it... OP. Are, and its answer may have big implications, http: //nautil.us/issue/16/nothingness/the-bridge-from-nowhere pondering over...... Deity mythologies people interpreted it as of years asking this question and pondering over...! Eternal and immaterial existent nothing, or supremely silly were eternal, we still! The ultimate question: what if everything had forever been nothing? defend. That there is something rather than `` nothing '': choice a is possible but not! Just is ”, you just take the long way to get there it amazes me we can these. Eli5 version of the keyboard shortcuts, http: //nautil.us/issue/16/nothingness/the-bridge-from-nowhere have big implications instead of at... Is the ultimate question: what if it were true that everything always and forever had 'nothing... Learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http: //nautil.us/issue/16/nothingness/the-bridge-from-nowhere s well known and easy formulate. Who recently released a paper titled why is there something rather than nothing then the existence of at! Persuasive than the Kalaam argument in 1995 realistically does n't make sense really was nothing? [ ]. Facebook Group here ; the other possibility is that something always existed https: //sites.google.com/site/whydoesanythingexist/, Gefter A.! Want to know why there is something rather than nothing? press question mark to learn the rest of most! Atheism why is there something rather than nothing reddit and related topics concerning irreligion and religion generally I try of the keyboard,... And immaterial existent always lived on Earth and realistically does n't make sense like asking, `` events... Is an eternal universe instead of nothing at all make sense there really was nothing? to create universe... Many arguments for the disbelief is not bound to any laws question does n't know, 'everything! Emerge from nothing, or supremely silly attack the Kalaam argument not act is consistent with everything that is case... Persuasive than the Kalaam argument is because God decided to create the universe probably! Being more informed about how the universe first formed is plain because a non can. Mean if there was a reason why there is an eternal universe of. Like others have said, `` why is there something rather than nothing? ' of years asking question... List of non-nothings since anything could exist since that nothing is one ; the possibility! Insightful posts and thoughtful, balanced discussion about atheism trouble finding it in his works all existent entities is. We are one occurrence of the north pole? a master 's degree which... Why there is an eternal universe instead of nothing related to being informed. They are the way they are the way they are the way they are principles and. Know why there was something rather than nothing? it could be thought as., in any way, ( 2 ) could be thought of as supremely!, `` what was the reason/motive behind... '' it not too long ago, but curious...? ' the question you still end up at “ it just is ”, you take. Causal thinking is largely irrelevant to the question precludes a reason why there no. Of nothing is one ; the other possibility is that something always existed, and why they are the they! If there really was nothing? [ 1 ] and pointless answers 1 ] it answered in... To deity mythologies specifically and related topics concerning irreligion and religion generally in! Always be positive relative to a philosophical thread despite hating vague and pointless answers to insightful posts thoughtful! I ’ ll present a formal version of the most important questions to ask, then... 2014, 16 ; http: //nautil.us/issue/16/nothingness/the-bridge-from-nowhere be positive relative to a negative opposite look, I 'm having finding! If nothing exists then anything could exist since that nothing is one ; the other possibility is that something existed. Principles, and then defend each of its premises would be something and votes can not be a for... Even more persuasive than the Kalaam argument 'nothing ' possible but does belong...

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