For the sake of debate----in the beginning there was time and then space and energy followed. The rest is history.
On Sat, Apr 17, 2010 at 1:36 PM, Robert <[email protected]> wrote: > What is the Organizing Principle of the Universe? > > Obviously, the universe is organized. From quarks, to subatomic > particles, to atoms and molecules, to dust and planets and stars and > galaxies, we can trace a hierarchy of structure. > > We can also see that the universe is organized into four contextual > components: space, time, energy and mass. These four components are > so strongly inter-related as to be considered a single thing, space- > time and energy-mass, or space-time-energy-mass. > > Time seems to consist of three components in continual flux--- past, > present and future. Although in some cosmological models, all three of > these are really the same thing, and our perception of the passage of > time is an illusion. > > However little we understand the structure of the universe, it becomes > clear to us that there is, in fact, a structure, an organization of > the universe into discernible "parts," so to speak. > > This brings us to the question: what principle organizes the universe > into the way we see it organized? > > Remember that prior to the big bang, the universe was (theoretically) > a point particle, homogenized, with neither discrete components nor > passage of time. Nevertheless, in order for the universe to organize > itself afterward, there had to be inherent in that primordial point- > particle, the principle which eventually gave rise to what we see. > > This is a crucial idea: that there should be some fundamental > governing principle which gives rise to observed phenomena. > > Such an idea is itself axiomatic, defying definition. And as with all > axioms, the best proof of its truth is to examine what would be the > case if the axiom were not true. > > Gravity is a subordinate of the central organizing principle. Gravity > explains our observation of falling objects (among other > observations). If there were no gravity, we would not see objects > falling. > > In like manner, if there were no organizing principle of the universe, > we should expect there to be no organization observed. > > Then the question proceeds to infinite sequences of principles. By > what principle is the principle brought into being? > > As always in such cases, we must settle on the idea of an ultimate, > self-existent absolute. It simply is. Nothing brings it into being, > but rather, it is the final principle upon which all else is founded. > > Some thinkers deny that there is any final principle, but only an > infinite progression of them. But even that begs the question, since > by what principle is there an infinite progression of principles? > > It is axiomatic that there is a final, underlying reality upon which > all else is founded. Denial of the axiom brings us only to an endless > sequence of useless conclusions. > > But when we admit of a final, ultimate absolute, we are confronted > with the question of an inherent life force, an inherent > consciousness, intelligence, and supreme being overarching all of > nature, all of reality. > > We, finite and transient mortals, can never hope to know anything > whatsoever about this ultimate absolute except for two possibilities: > it reveals itself to us, and it endows us with the capacity to > understand what it reveals. > > We could never reason our way to God. On the contrary, we are utterly > dependent upon Him to show Himself, and to give us eyes with which to > see Him. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Epistemology" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<epistemology%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/epistemology?hl=en. > > -- nubiaafrika.blogspot.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Epistemology" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/epistemology?hl=en.
