Expert: Ed - 6/8/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
Many people and including scientist do not believe in an intelligent creator. One of the reasons being is the question; “where did he come from” etc…. My question is; even if you don’t believe in an infinite creator you still have to wonder where did the first material, mass  or whatever come from? Doesn’t someone or something have to be infinite? 0+0 = 0 Have you ever heard any theories on this?

Burt


ANSWER: Burt,
Yes, this is one of the biggest debates in cosmology.

One major, respected theory on this topic is that the universe has esentially always existed, expanding and contracting like a really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really BIG heart.

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/cosmology-02c.html

Google the words Steinhardt Turok if you'd like to see more about this theory.

They are still working on this theory, but it has promise.  At this date, it's about the best answer to your question that I'm aware of.

Keep Looking Up!
--Ed

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:
Ed, thank you for directing me to that article. So evidently Steinhardt & Turok and others do not have a problem with believing that something has to be infinite. That being so, why do they generally dismiss out of hand that the "something" could be a an intelligent creator; especially since there is an abundant evidence of design in the earth and universe. Have they ever addressed this question? I can understand why they might reject certain religious ideas put forward by unreasonable persons, but I'm just curious why so many reject the idea of an intelligent higher power. Its seems as though it takes as much faith to believe that intricate design, life, and consciousness can come from nothing. I realize this is probably a more philosophical question since there is no absolute proof, but when these scientist (whom I respect) put forward theories about how we got here that cannot be proved aren't they crossing the line into philosophy or faith?

Respectfully
Burt

Answer
Dear Burt,

Ohhhh, why don't people just ask me easy questions like "how far away is the sun"......

No, seriously, that's an amazing question.  Thanks for forcing me to use my brain on the weekend.  It's probably all for the best.

Well, someone could deem this to be, on the one hand, a matter of trivial semantics, or, on the other, one of weighty philosophy, but I personally think that a major issue here lies in the meaning intended by the usage of certain key words.

Steinhardt and Turok are scientists.  This means that their professional reputations are determined entirely by the degree to which they stick to things which can be mathematically proven, and can be independently verified by other scientists.  That's what science is all about.

If a scientist uses the word "infinity," they are talking about a mathematical conception, not a mystical one.  If a scientist happens to be religious, as many scientists are, then he must be careful about how he uses words like this in professional contexts.  Infinity, scientifically speaking, means something that is most meaningfully explored through equations.

You mention that it takes "faith" to "believe" that the structure of the universe can arise by chance.  That is true.  However, the whole point of doing science is to seek to understand phenomena through reason, not faith.  A person could have a faith-based conceptualization of the universe as being a random, chance-based result of the Big Bang.  If the person has not taken the time to really grapple with the math, and tried to understand all the science, then they are ultimately simply accepting one person's interpretation over anothers on hearsay, or for emotional reasons.  Or, from faith in the person doing what they say is science.  The only way to truly have a scientific understanding of the universe, ultimately, is really to work through the scientific arguments yourself.  Most people don't have the time or inclination to do this.

Well, those are my thoughts.  Just my opinion.  If you ever bump into anyone who knows for sure about this stuff, please ask him to e-mail me.  

If you want a really mind-scrambling view of a scientist thinking about this stuff, and coming to some incredibly bizarre conclusions about the nature of intelligence and the "design" of the universe, try googling "kurzweil accelerated seti."  You'll see what I mean.

Keep Looking Up (I always say that),
--Ed