The paradox of The Miracle of Existence

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    Existence Paradox
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the paradox of existence, particularly the questions of how the universe originated from nothing prior to the Big Bang and how a deity might create itself from nothing. Participants explore the implications of these questions on the relationship between science and religion, examining concepts of time, existence, and consciousness.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the questions of the universe's origin and the nature of existence are fundamentally paradoxical, challenging the limits of human logic.
  • Others propose various theories regarding the emergence of matter, including ideas about dimensions collapsing into our reality.
  • One viewpoint argues that the concept of time may be irrelevant to understanding existence, positing that everything exists simultaneously in a mass of probabilities.
  • Another participant questions why the universe must have a beginning, suggesting it simply "is" without creation or end.
  • Some argue that if time is meaningless, then infinite possibilities should have already been experienced, raising questions about the nature of reality and existence.
  • There are claims that consciousness, despite its brief existence, is part of a larger eternal context, which some find illogical while others argue it is a valid perspective.
  • One participant challenges the notion that human existence holds significant value in the grand scheme of the universe, suggesting that this belief stems from self-delusion.
  • Another asserts that the universe cannot be measured or defined in conventional terms, complicating discussions about its existence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus reached on the nature of existence, the role of time, or the implications of consciousness. Disagreements persist regarding the validity of various interpretations of existence and the universe.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in understanding the vastness of existence and the nature of time, with some suggesting that human perception may not fully grasp these concepts. The discussion remains open-ended, with unresolved questions about the implications of their arguments.

  • #31
We can't ever demonstrate nothing or eternity because as soon as we observe nothing it becomes something... Eternity is even more complex because you would never see the end of it, therefore it could never be proven enternity. At the level our thinking/scientific knowledge is currently I don't think that this question is answerable... yet... I enjoy reading this thread though :smile:
 
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  • #32
Yes, eternity can be viewed as both more complex and, yet, equally nonsensical. Like ex nihlio creation from nothing, it is an effect without a cause or a cause without an effect depending upon how you choose to look at it. You can also treat ex nihlio creation as an effect without a cause that eventually leads to the destruction of everything with, of course, nothing left.

The big bang presents an example of this last. If spacetime was created in the big bang there was no time before the event. If the big bang had no seed but was a completely random event from out of the blue, then it was ex nihlio creation. If the universe collapses again and all the matter and energy in universe cancel each other out, then there will be nothing left. Ex nihlio creation leading back to nothing and starting the cycle all over again.

Note that my example is very similar to the idea of eternity. Logically and mathematically or whatever, both eternity and ex nihlio creation inevitably lead to the concept of a singularity, a paradox.
 
  • #33
I don't think time has a beginning, if it has a beginning then it must have an end which means that universe is not forever.
 
  • #34
I honestly doubt we can ever know. Anything postulated ends in paradox. Some things may just be beyond our comprehension.
 
  • #35
loseyourname said:
I honestly doubt we can ever know. Anything postulated ends in paradox. Some things may just be beyond our comprehension.

Exactly, once you break anything down to some kind of "ultimate" paradox and the ineffable become obvious. For example, just what the heck is "pure" energy, pure consciousness, or whatever.

The natural tendency is, of course, to look for reasonable sounding explanations even when none is apparently possible. For example, you could create any number of reasonable sounding explanations for what I have just typed, but what is the real reason? No one can prove any explanation beyond a shadow of a doubt and every possible explanation might at least have some reasonable aspects.

Just as words only have demonstrable meaning according to their function in a given context, concepts themselves apparently only have demonstrable rationalization and reason (ie meaning!) according to their use in a given context.
 

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