Why do physicists claim the universe came from nothing?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the claim that the universe originated from nothing, particularly in the context of the Big Bang Theory. Participants explore the implications of this idea, its philosophical underpinnings, and the interpretations of statements made by prominent physicists like Stephen Hawking and Michio Kaku. The scope includes theoretical considerations and philosophical debates regarding the nature of existence and the origins of the universe.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that creationists misinterpret the Big Bang Theory, suggesting that it implies something came from nothing, which they find problematic.
  • It is mentioned that the cause of the Big Bang is currently unknown, raising questions about the validity of claims that the universe spontaneously formed from nothing.
  • One participant speculates that quantum fluctuations in a vacuum could allow for the universe to emerge from a state of nothingness, paralleling the spontaneous creation of particle pairs.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that postulating a universe from nothing is reasonable from a quantum physics perspective, questioning whether it is more logical to assume the universe has always existed.
  • Some argue that assuming the universe has always existed does not resolve the question of its origins, as it leads to further inquiries about the state preceding it.
  • There is a contention that stating "it came from nothing" is as plausible as claiming "it always existed," highlighting the philosophical nature of the debate.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of the universe's origins, with no consensus reached on whether the idea of the universe coming from nothing is more valid than the notion of it always existing. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the lack of a definitive cause for the Big Bang and the complexities surrounding the concept of "nothingness," which may depend on specific definitions and interpretations within quantum physics.

AdkinsJr
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I often hear creationists claim that the Big Bang Theory states that something came out of nothing and exploded. Interestingly enough, I've found that physicists are often quote mined as saying things like "the universe came from nothing." Why would a physicists say such a thing?


"Big Bangs occur in the sea of nothingness."
- Michio Kaku Ph.D. Theoretical Physicist and Harvard Educated.

Another Quote:

"Speaking to a sold out crowd at the Berkeley Physics Oppenheimer Lecture, Hawking said yesterday that he now believes the universe spontaneously popped into existence from nothing. He said more work is needed to prove this but we have time because 'Eternity is a very long time, especially towards the end.'
 
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The cause of the Big Bang is unknown. Here is a good page on this:

http://www.aei.mpg.de/einsteinOnline/en/spotlights/big_bangs/index.html"
 
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Freeman Dyson said:
The cause of the Big Bang is unknown. Here is a good page on this:

http://www.aei.mpg.de/einsteinOnline/en/spotlights/big_bangs/index.html"

I'm aware that there is no known cause for the big bang. That's why I don't understand some of these bizarre quotes. Why would someone like Stephen Hawking say that the universe spontaneously formed out of nothing? I don't see how someone could possibly justify such a bizarre claim if we aren't even beyond the big bang. This notion of cosmic nothingness eludes me.
 
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That the universe came from nothing is one of the current hypotheses. So I'm not sure why you're taking umbrage.

It is speculated that - similar to how quantum flucuations in vacuum can spontaneously spawn a pair of real particles - so the universe may have simply sprung into existence as a point and then rapidly expanded to the BB we know today.
 
It is not unreasonable to postulate a universe from 'nothing'. It is certainly reasonable from a quantum physics point of view. Is it any more reasonable to assume it always was?
 
Chronos said:
It is not unreasonable to postulate a universe from 'nothing'. It is certainly reasonable from a quantum physics point of view. Is it any more reasonable to assume it always was?

To assume it aways was only begs the question as to where the previous state came from. It never really answers where those previous states came from, and so it denies any reason for those previous states. It's the same as having no explanation at all.

But it would seem that the principle of spacetime coming into existence is consistent with space expanding with time, more of it coming into existence from ... nothing?
 
friend said:
To assume it aways was only begs the question as to where the previous state came from. It never really answers where those previous states came from, and so it denies any reason for those previous states.
I think that's his point.

Saying "it came from nothing" is not any more preposterous than saying "it always existed".
 

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