The Origin Of The Universe [#1]

Philosophysics is an interesting subject, merging philosophy with physics. To introduce philosophysics, I shall begin with the origin of the Universe: the Big Bang theory.

The Big Bang theory is the only explanation for the Origin of the Universe that is currently backed up with viable scientific evidence. The basic concepts are that space, time and the Universe itself were created in a massive eruption that occurred ~14.7 billion years ago, where a mass of energy transformed into matter and the fabric of space and time, collectively known as spacetime. This lump of matter and spacetime then expanded at an exponential rate and has continued to expand since, but at a slower speed. The foundation of the Big Bang theory is Albert Einstein's equation E=mc², which proves that energy and matter are interchangeable. In his book A Brief History of Time, Stephen Hawking explores an obscure question concerning the precise rate of the expansion of the Universe:

"Why did the universe start out with so nearly the critical rate of expansion that separates models that recollapse from those that go on expanding forever, that even now, ten thousand million years later, it is still expanding at nearly the critical rate? If the rate of expansion one second after the big bang had been smaller by even one part in a hundred thousand million million, the universe would have recollapsed before it ever reached its present size."

Hawking says that the speed at which the Universe expanded immediately after it formed was the exact rate required for a Universe that could evolve into the life-supporting refuge it is today. If it had expanded a little bit faster, the matter would have been flung to far out for planets and stars to form, and it would have become a mostly empty void. But if it had expanded a tiny bit slower, it would have expanded too slowly, and would have recollapsed on itself, causing a 'Big Crunch'. So how did the energy 'choose' the perfect rate of expansion to avoid a hopeless void or a Big Crunch?

One possible solution is that this is proof of the existence of God, who would have decided upon the rate of expansion. But if God chose the specific value that agreed with the laws that God had created, doesn't that imply that there are some laws that even he has to abide by? So how then could God be described as almighty, or omnipotent? Therefore if God does exist, he cannot be an all-powerful deity, since a manlike being would be limited to the power of its mind, will and emotions. God limited by physical qualities, neither can he be limited by a form of any kind, if he is omnipotent or almighty.

Scientists are still uncertain about whether the Big Bang occurred. Out of all of the scientific theories, the Big Bang model is the most backed up by scientific evidence, but the Big Bang Theory is a theory and cannot be proven. This leaves room for other hypotheses to be formed concerning the creation of the Universe, but none are supported by enough viable scientific evidence as yet.