How Can Nothing Expand Into Nothing?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "nothing" in relation to the expansion of the universe. Participants explore philosophical and scientific implications of a universe that may consist of "nothing," questioning how expansion could occur in such a context. The conversation touches on theoretical, conceptual, and philosophical aspects of the topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how nothing can expand into nothing, suggesting that if the universe consists of nothing, then the concept of an "outside" would imply that it is part of the universe.
  • Another participant mentions dark matter, indicating it occupies a significant portion of the universe.
  • A participant proposes that if the universe is infinitely spatially extensive, then it was already infinite at the moment of the Big Bang, with matter expanding into that infinite space.
  • One contributor discusses the philosophical debate surrounding the existence of nothing, arguing that the vacuum of space contains various forms of energy and that the concept of nothing is complex and contested.
  • Another participant raises questions about the relationship between something and nothing, including how thoughts can influence physical actions, suggesting a deeper inquiry into the nature of existence.
  • Several participants reference external readings and articles, indicating a desire for further understanding of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of nothing and its implications for the universe's expansion. There is no clear consensus, as some focus on scientific interpretations while others delve into philosophical questions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the nature of the universe, the definitions of "nothing," and the implications of dark matter, which remain unresolved. The interplay between philosophical and scientific perspectives adds complexity to the conversation.

Victor
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From what I've heard, the university consists of nothing, except for the planets, stars, and the stars "output". (And of course also some other smaller objects).

If universe consists of nothing, how would it then expand.

How would nothing, expand into nothing? If the outside of the universe is "nothing" then it would be a part of the universe already.

Otherwise, if we say the "outside" actually existed of something, then the energy of the outside would be added to our universe, e.g. energy would be created.

So simply, how can nothing expand into nothing?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
dark matter, it takes up most of the universe
 
Read http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=274 . Still have questions?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thank you honestrosewater, very good article.
 
If the spatial extent of the Universe is infinite as it is thought to be then there was an infinite spatial extent at the moment of the Big Bang and the matter in the Universe is just expanding into that.
 
Victor said:
From what I've heard, the university consists of nothing, except for the planets, stars, and the stars "output". (And of course also some other smaller objects).
Wow. My university doesn't even have a particle accelerator.
 
Nothing from nothing

Victor said:
From what I've heard, the university consists of nothing, except for the planets, stars, and the stars "output". (And of course also some other smaller objects).

If universe consists of nothing, how would it then expand.

How would nothing, expand into nothing? If the outside of the universe is "nothing" then it would be a part of the universe already.

Otherwise, if we say the "outside" actually existed of something, then the energy of the outside would be added to our universe, e.g. energy would be created.

So simply, how can nothing expand into nothing?


The topic of "nothing" and whether such a thing as nothing exist has long been debated in philosophy. The vacuum of space is not composed of "nothing" but various forms of energy called the quantum foam. One could also claim that even the so-called "stuff" that planets, stars and people are composed of "nothingness". Though this may be a little tougher to side with indeed one must be taken aback by the fact the average dense material here on Earth has more space between the atoms than there is material making objects here on Earth made more of psace than material.

Nothing cannot exist in the presence of something. The two cannot coexist. You cannot observe nothing since the observer is composed of something which contaminates the state of "nothingness". Whether the universe is composed of something other than mental states is a hotly debated question between materialist and idealist.

How can "something" arise from "nothing"? How can something mental (a thought) influence matter, such as your brain telling your arm to move? Are there really any fundamental buildign blocks to matter or is the universe an unbroken whole?

The Book of Nothing : Vacuums, Voids, and the Latest Ideas About the Origins of the Universe
by JOHN BARROW




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Read that one too. Easier to understand.
 
Picklehead said:
Read that one too. Easier to understand.
Reading that one is only good if it is correct.
 

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