Did the universe have an absolute beginning, or is it eternal?

[Cypress]

The Borde–Guth–Vilenkin (BGV) theorem is a theorem in physical cosmology which deduces that any universe that has, on average, been expanding throughout its history cannot be infinite in the past but must have a past spacetime boundary.

The Beginning of the Universe​

By Alexander Vilenkin

The question remains whether the big bang was truly the beginning of the universe. A beginning in what? Caused by what? And determined by what, or whom? These questions have prompted physicists to make every attempt to avoid a cosmic beginning.

In this essay, I review where we now stand.

An Unaddressable Mystery​

The answer to the question, “Did the universe have a beginning?” is, “It probably did.” We have no viable models of an eternal universe. The BGV theorem gives us reason to believe that such models simply cannot be constructed.

When physicists or theologians ask me about the BGV theorem, I am happy to oblige. But my own view is that the theorem does not tell us anything about the existence of God. A deep mystery remains. The laws of physics that describe the quantum creation of the universe also describe its evolution. This seems to suggest that they have some independent existence.

What exactly this means, we don’t know.

And why are these laws the ones we have? Why not other laws?

We have no way to begin to address this mystery.

The Beginning of the Universe | Alexander Vilenkin | Inference

Despite the perplexing questions associated with the universe having a beginning, the BGV theorem shows it must have had one. Alexander Vilenkin describes the theory of quantum creation, and why it means that the universe both could have a beginning and be uncaused.

inference-review.com

 

[Cypress]

My two cents: some scientists hate the idea of an absolute beginning and seek to figure out ways to make an eternal cosmos, because an absolute space time boundary puts a severe limitation on science and puts a dent in the scientific project to understand everything.

 

[Hume]

The universe always existed. Until proven otherwise.

 

[Hume]

My two cents: some scientists hate the idea of an absolute beginning and seek to figure out ways to make an eternal cosmos, because an absolute space time boundary puts a severe limitation on science and puts a dent in the scientific project to understand everything.

God did it. We know.

 

[Cypress]

The universe always existed. Until proven otherwise.

The The Borde–Guth–Vilenkin theorem demonstrates that the universe has an absolute spacetime boundary in the past, and does not extend infinitely far into the past.

 

[Hume]

The The Borde–Guth–Vilenkin theorem demonstrates that the universe has an absolute spacetime boundary in the past, and does not extend infinitely far into the past.

So? Does not contradict what I said, which had no reference to "infinity."

 

[Cypress]

So? Does not contradict what I said, which had no reference to "infinity."

An expanding universe with an absolute spacetime boundary in the past cannot have "always existed".

 

[Hume]

An expanding universe with an absolute spacetime boundary in the past cannot have "always existed".

Why? What is the origin of the universe, besides your God?

 

[Cypress]

God did it. We know.

Alexander Valentin does not cite God. I think what he's saying is we have to confront the reality that the universe began to exist at an absolute spacetime boundary, and cannot be extended infinitely far into the past.

 

[Hume]

Alexander Valentin does not cite God. I think what he's saying is we have to confront the reality that the universe began to exist at an absolute spacetime boundary, and cannot be extended infinitely far into the past.

Like I said, I never used the concept of infinity. Different.

 

[Cypress]

Why? What is the origin of the universe

Now you're asking the right questions.

No one knows why the universe came into existence.

 

[Hume]

Now you're asking the right questions.

No one knows why the universe came into existence.

But you Christians do, it is God.

 

[Cypress]

Like I said, I never used the concept of infinity. Different.

"Always existed" = infinite age.

 

[Hume]

"Always existed" = infinite age.

No. Not time based.

 

[Cypress]

"Always existed" = infinite age.

No. Not time based.

So you believe in some transcendent realm beyond the boundaries of spacetime.

 

[gfm7175]

The Borde–Guth–Vilenkin (BGV) theorem is a theorem in physical cosmology which deduces that any universe that has, on average, been expanding throughout its history cannot be infinite in the past but must have a past spacetime boundary.

The Beginning of the Universe​

By Alexander Vilenkin

The question remains whether the big bang was truly the beginning of the universe. A beginning in what? Caused by what? And determined by what, or whom? These questions have prompted physicists to make every attempt to avoid a cosmic beginning.

In this essay, I review where we now stand.

An Unaddressable Mystery​

The answer to the question, “Did the universe have a beginning?” is, “It probably did.” We have no viable models of an eternal universe. The BGV theorem gives us reason to believe that such models simply cannot be constructed.

When physicists or theologians ask me about the BGV theorem, I am happy to oblige. But my own view is that the theorem does not tell us anything about the existence of God. A deep mystery remains. The laws of physics that describe the quantum creation of the universe also describe its evolution. This seems to suggest that they have some independent existence.

What exactly this means, we don’t know.

And why are these laws the ones we have? Why not other laws?

We have no way to begin to address this mystery.

The Beginning of the Universe | Alexander Vilenkin | Inference

Despite the perplexing questions associated with the universe having a beginning, the BGV theorem shows it must have had one. Alexander Vilenkin describes the theory of quantum creation, and why it means that the universe both could have a beginning and be uncaused.

inference-review.com

From a Christian standpoint, it makes sense for me to believe that the universe is eternal, otherwise there would be nowhere for the Christian God (who is himself eternal) to exist.

 

[gfm7175]

Now you're asking the right questions.

No one knows why the universe came into existence.

No one knows THAT the universe came into existence.

 

[T. A. Gardner]

A more fundamental question is:

If there was a "Big Bang," then why would it look like this:

Rather than expanding in all directions from the initial point of the detonation? That is, wouldn't the point of initiation be at the center of the universe?

 

[Cypress]

A more fundamental question is:

If there was a "Big Bang," then why would it look like this:

Rather than expanding in all directions from the initial point of the detonation? That is, wouldn't the point of initiation be at the center of the universe?

That's not intended to represent the geometry of the universe. It's a temporal schematic showing the stages of evolution of the universe on a time axis moving left to right.

 

[T. A. Gardner]

That's not intended to represent the geometry of the universe. It's a temporal schematic showing the stages of evolution of the universe on a time axis moving left to right.

Don't you think it should? I do. If the Big Bang happened, it has to have had a location from which it originated. Wouldn't it be worthwhile if we knew where the spot was?