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Cosmic Implications of "It All"

Why the Universe will not ever be fully explained by science.

All of existence is an interactive, interrelated and interconnected dynamical process. This essay will seek to discuss this dynamic process in relatively simple terms with the intention of describing the discrete forces of existence from a metaphysical point of view. This writing will also attempt to weave the concept of fusion, in particular, the melding of universal forces concerning both its tangible and intangible aspects. In order to travel through this dimension of space and time, this inquiry will sojourn through cosmic existence in an effort to mind-map the existential collective conscious and subconscious. It is fully expected that the odyssey of this work will commence with the origins of the cosmos as posited scientifically. A major theme weaved throughout will be the comparison of the nature of humankind to that of existence. Finally, an eventual outcome will be described and posited as a notion cloaked in idealism, a Utopian reality.

Introduction

All there is is quite a lot to know. Perhaps to know everything is to know the mind of G-d? Yet, even with scientific inquiry, we do not ever really know anything. I do not have my sight set on the lofty aim or ambition of proving anything in this writing. Fortunately, I do not have to bear the burden of proof in this endeavor, as there is nothing that can be truly proven or wholly known. Science is not a means of obtaining absolute truth. Facts may be regarded as indisputable; theories are not Brian Silver. Any theory that seems to sit for a while (however long a while is) does so on the basis that it has never been disproven, and that when tested experimentally, simply seems to work.

A specific example of this is regarding Isaac Newton's theory of gravity. At a higher level, Newton's system of mechanics was true for a couple of centuries It was shown to be lacking, to be an approximation to a new truth Brian Silver. Literally, Newton's theory regarding the Universal Law of Gravity went uncontested for more than 200 years, until which time Albert Einstein came along and disproved his theory. Einstein gave us a theory called General Relativity, which completely shifted the paradigm of our conceptual understanding of gravitational forces from straight to curve - and with this shift we experienced a more pristine understanding of the functionality of the cosmos. We discovered a new or fresh perspective on viewing matter.

All people question life, existence, and the future from the moment that cognizance sets in. It may seem that some people question life more than others, but all people question to some degree. At least this is the hope. One of the hallmarks of our existential quest is in coming to terms with the fact that we are finite beings. Egyptians dared to transcend death by embalming their dead - all in the hopes of preserving life as eternal. Humans have been consumed with thoughts of eternity since time immemorial, or at least the last 6,000 years, which is the age of modern man.

Even in our modern day, we, as a global society comprised of the human species, will do anything to remain forever young, pointlessly attempting to defy the law of gravity. Fighting the inevitable is a futile endeavor. Plastic surgery is a lucrative business, and many celebrities pay hefty price tags to drink from this very expensive fountain of youth. The relevance of this line of questioning is important because the thoughts as expressed herein are the very thoughts which rest at the heart of humankind: Where did we come from? Who are we? Why are we here? What's it all for? Where are we going?

The human condition is a predicament that is experienced by each person in a uniquely distinct manner. Scientists, religious teachers, philosophers and more have been attempting to answer unanswerable questions throughout the ages. Each stream of thought or vantage point is replete with its particular brand of controversy and also its uniquely distinct insight on the matter. Scientists posit that we have evolved from another form of species which ended with the Paleolithic Era some 6,000 years ago, giving way to the rise of modern man.

Religion proposes the idea that G-d created the World in all of its glory nearly 6,000 years ago, hence the concept of Creationism. Philosophers contend that existence might best be described as a melding of the two discrete approaches of science and religion. For example, perhaps evolution, culture, time, place, myth, politics, economics and history all contribute to the understanding of existence as we know it.

The Rise of Science in the 17th century

Science as a field of endeavor made way in the 17th century. However, aspects of what we call science today have been in existence since at least far back as the Big Bang some 15 billion years ago. It is almost as if science, like myth and religion, was waiting in the very long cosmic line of existence for its turn to receive its time and place on the integer of existence. A place where it could begin to inquire on behalf of humanity as to the nature, workings and origins of the universe, vis-vis, at the point at which the scientific inquiry found it self.

Whether it was the cave man, the ape man, Galileo, Newton, Einstein or Hawking, the Egyptians, Sumerians, Hebrews, Romans or Greeks, we human beings have been attempting to learn where we come from and also to know where we are going. In seeking to understand ourselves and our origins we have sought (and seek) to understand the elements as a source from whence we came. Science tests seemingly applicable theories of existence and in so doing has provided a medium for us, enabling us to work in concert with the forces of existence to our advantage.

Science has helped us pave the way for us to continuously adapt our resources to be useful in ever-changing climates. It is science that gave us the cure for infections, telescopes, and more. All the elements in existence already exist and they existed as such from the onset. Creativity is a fluid art form. It functions smoothly. Creativity simply flows forth. We didn't create the law of aerodynamics. Birds fly in the air. We learned to understand the function, and then replicated the function to serve our advantage.

The Nature of Existence is Unknowable

Is the Big Bang a chemical reaction of spontaneous combustion, a fusion of forces that occurred some 15 billion years ago? Did these forces come together at just the right time in just the right place, and in precisely the right way? That these forces came together in such a particular fashion, not too much of one thing and not too little of another, is no small wonder it is a cosmological conundrum. Could this cosmological conundrum be likened to a process of evolutionary natural selection? Could the mutant genes at this time be discovered in latent form by the extinction of a species like dinosaurs? Science, when viewed from this lens, can be said to make a great case for G-d. In recent times scientists have found what some see as convincing evidence for more than chance in the structure of the universe Brian Silver.

So it appears the more we learn about whom we are and what we are made of, the more we simply do not know. Further, the more we realize how miniscule we are, in comparison to the large and grand scheme of the cosmos, the more we realize that we are attempting to grasp that which can never be truly grasped or wholly known. How? Why? Well, in light of the fact that there is dark matter which hovers over the totality of existence, albeit it in its invisible shadow-like form, it appears the answer is not soon forthcoming. Where did we come from and where are we going? Is it all by chance and happenstance, or, is this a purposefully intended existence we are all a part of?

The Cosmic Implications of It All

The cosmic implications of the future are at best uncertain. If we look at the situation from one angle, what we have is a universe that will slow to a halt. When this occurs, it will begin to contract, or diminish in size a closed universe. Based on what evidence can be collected, that is, of all of the mass that we can measure at present, dark matter and black hole's not withstanding, it is not enough to halt the expansion of the cosmos, hence, we have the picture of an open universe that will expand until it explodes or implodes again. Finally, the third alternative is that the universe will slow to nearly a stop, but not quite. This is what is deemed as a flat universe a universe existing on the plane of an ever-unfolding horizon.

The latter alternative is the best chance at a happy medium that we have because by implication a flat universe that never becomes too big or too small is a constant and not a variable. This is a universe that operates at the level of critical mass, which serves to maintain the idea of perpetuity without resulting in either one of two catastrophic extremes, which would serve to spell the end of existence as we currently know it. The extremes of existence can be balanced by an existential lever which prevents expansion to the point of the Big Bang or contraction to the point right before the Big Bang, called the Big Crunch.

The Sun is expected to die in approximately 1 billion years. Soon after this, the terrestrial planets will eventually disintegrate, including that of our dear Mother Earth. What then will become of us miniature models of clay? Perhaps we will have evolved to some supra-being of form and intellect by then, our minds fully mapped and our intention a direct and immediate byproduct of our will. Where did we come from and where are we going? Better still, one might ask, who are we and why are we here?

Perhaps we are just passing through this universe? Perhaps we are just passing through countless universes? Who knows what light and life are contained in the black hole (s) of existence, let alone that which is clouded or obscured by dark matter. Any answer we come up with is conjecture at best, because the makings of the universe are nothing short of magic. All of life is a miracle, and when we stop and consider just how amazing the systems are that operate harmoniously (or not) to make life and existence possible, one cannot help but be in awe at the magnitude and grandeur of "It All".

Learn more about this author, Ruth D. Hochman.
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