What is the relationship between inflation and the beginning of the universe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between inflation theory and the concept of the universe's beginning. Participants explore various papers and viewpoints regarding whether an inflationary universe can exist without a beginning, touching on theoretical implications and interpretations within cosmology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares links to papers on inflation theory, suggesting they may provide insights into the universe's origins.
  • Another participant proposes that the discussed paper supports a dialectical materialism view of the universe having no beginning or end.
  • In response, a different participant argues that many papers indicate that an inflationary universe likely does have a beginning, referencing previous discussions and links they shared.
  • There is a mention of the complexity of the paper and a correction regarding the link format, indicating that minor adjustments can lead to successful access.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about science ever fully resolving the question of the universe's origin, emphasizing the limits of human knowledge.
  • A question is raised regarding the paper's date and whether it addresses issues like eternal inflation and the weak energy principle, suggesting that many cosmologists have moved away from the idea of an inflationary universe without a beginning.
  • A suggestion is made to pose questions to a newsgroup where physicists might provide further insights on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether inflation theory allows for a universe without a beginning, with some arguing for a beginning and others suggesting the opposite. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives present.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various papers and ideas, indicating a landscape of ongoing research and debate. There are mentions of specific theoretical challenges, such as the weak energy principle, which remain unresolved within the discussion.

heusdens
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http://bubba.ucdavis.edu/~infl03/Anthony_Aguirre/infl_infl.pdf"

http://arxiv.org/ps/gr-qc/0301042


COMMENT:

I tried the links myself, and you can download them using "right-mouse/save as" at the link, and the files (first: PDF, second: PS) will be stored to disk.

Note: the PS file comes with an extra ".gz" extention. Remove that extention, and get a PS file viewer to read it.

If it doesn't work then simply do a Google search

Google "infl_infl.pdf"

Google "gr-qc/0301042"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Very interesting paper. I had some trouble with your links but located the paper with the arxiv get on the number.

This would provide a scientific basis for the dialectical materialism satz of no beginning-no end of the universe, no?
 
It would seem not. Many papers have been written over the past years that show that even an inflationary universe likely has a beginning. I posted several links some time ago, and I'll see if I can find them again.
 
I thought it was interesting too (though not entirely comprehensible)
the link you gave just had couple of extra letters
in it---when you erase the "ps/" you get something I think will work
both authors are at princeton, one at the institute for advanced
studies

http://arxiv.org/gr-qc/0301042
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by Eh
It would seem not. Many papers have been written over the past years that show that even an inflationary universe likely has a beginning. I posted several links some time ago, and I'll see if I can find them again.

Obviously inflation theory has progressed...


But I bring this paper here not because I think it's the last word on this topic.

If you ask me, there is no way in which science can ever settle this "origin of the universe" question, since we will never have complete and abdolute knowledge about the universe.
 
Do you know when the paper was written? Does it address the problems, such as an eternal inflation violating the weak energy principle? As I said, a lot of papers have been written on the subject over the past few years, and the original idea of an inflationary universe without beginning seems to have been discounted by a lot of cosmologists.

This might be a good question to post to the newsgroup sci.physics.research. Several physicists post there and could shed some light on the subject.
 
I took this paper from http://bubba.ucdavis.edu/~infl03/Schedule.htm" website.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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