Cause of Big Bang: What Started the Expansion?

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    Big bang Cause
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the cause of the Big Bang and the nature of the expansion of the universe. Participants explore theoretical concepts related to causality, energy, and the applicability of these notions at the Planck scale.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what caused the Big Bang, suggesting that some form of energy would be necessary to initiate the expansion.
  • Another participant argues that the Big Bang should not be viewed as an explosion and raises doubts about the applicability of energy at the Planck level, indicating a lack of solutions for the universe's conditions at that time.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that in theoretical terms, there may not be a need for a cause since concepts of time and causality may not exist prior to the Big Bang.
  • One participant expresses appreciation for the explanations provided by others, indicating that they helped clarify misconceptions.
  • Another participant mentions a preference for the quantum fluctuation explanation, proposing that the universe fluctuated for an infinite duration before achieving the right properties for emergence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the nature of the Big Bang and its causation, with no consensus reached on a definitive explanation. Multiple competing ideas remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on assumptions about the nature of time and causality, particularly at the Planck scale, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

brother time
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I was wondering what caused the big bang? The expansion would need some energy to start wouldn't it?
 
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No, because it was not an explosion.
It is not clear even if notion of energy is applicable at Plank Level, so there is no solution for the universe and time about few Planck times.
 
As I understand it, in theoretical concept, there wouldn't be anything to "cause" it, and there would be no need to "cause" it since the concept of time, cause and effect would not exist. As Stephen Hawking said in response to the question of what was before the Big Bang; "What is north of the North Pole?"
 
Thanks Tubba,
this explanation really helped, and thanks dmitry, both of you helped clear up some of my misconceptions
cheers, BT
 
There are lots of threads about this. This is what I said in a recent one.
 
Thanks Fredrik,
this is probably the clearest explanation I have had.
 
Yeah that was well put. That was my question he posted on. It helped me a lot too.
 
I still like the quantum fluctuation explanation. Our universe 'fluctuated' for an infinite amount of time until it found the right balance of properties to become emergent.
 

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