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Atheism/Cause of the Universe would be caused

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Expert: - 4/13/2010


Question
Hello,

I read your articles about the incoherence of the cause of the Universe.

But if cosmologists discover that the Universe (let's imagine) has a cause which is outside time,

could one say that this very cause would have been uncaused (for the reason that since it's inside an atemporal state, it's not subjected to any change)?

sincerely

Answer
The universe itself is already in an atemporal state, i.e. It does not exist "in time." Ergo there simply cannot be any "cause" of the universe as we normally use the word. You are suggesting a hypothetical where this isn't true of the universe any more, but then immediately apply it as true to the "cause" we imagine for the universe. But why bother doing that? If we suspend the rules which the universe is subjected to, why not suspend them completely?

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Austin Cline

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I can address questions regarding atheism, agnosticism, skepticism, humanism, religious philosophy & history, and arguments both for and against theism. I am also familiar with many of the skeptical and atheist resources in print and on the internet.

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I have been an atheist and a secular humanist for many years. I actively run a site about agnosticism & atheism and attempt to help people understand more about these topics. I have made extensive study of both philosophy and of a wide vareity of religions.

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I belong to the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Council for Secular Humanism.

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My writings appear every week on the Agnosticism/Atheism site

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I have a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA from Princeton University. I have also studied in Germany and Switzerland.

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Phi Beta Kappa and a Fulbright Scholar.

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