Originally posted by epiphinehas
Of course, conceptualizing this 'thing' as existing in lifeless flux from age to age in perpetuity in the form of plasma or subatomic structures merely, elevates the universe itself to eternal status (the only viable option for those who refuse to posit a creator for lack of evidence).
Well, first of all, this 'thing' is the only thing we have evidence exists, where evidence is defined as
as something that can be testable and readily verifiable. So this should be the point of departure,
the foundation upon which any theory begins.
Yet we see towards the beginning of the universe clear indications of an evolution dictated by unchanging and immaterial laws, in place at inception. Were (and are) these laws expressions of a reality 'outside' of the time-space continuum?
Do you think God invented the number '3' or the concept 'addition?' There are lots of concepts which
exist before any 'thing' exists to verify them.
A rudimentary time-line extending to an infinite future lacks any immanent characteristics; but whatever does not have a beginning or an end must also subsist immanently.
I have no clue what this is supposed to mean.
The 'arrow' of time is 'classicly' pointing towards the future,
INCEPTION -----------------> ETERNAL FUTURE
but where in the amaranthine depths of that 'thing' which has no beginning or end is that arrow really pointing?
This notion does not acknowledge the possibility that the existing structure could be cyclical, or that
there was an inception, but it becomes cyclical. A linear progression (like positive integers which
start at 1 and then go on forever) is but one possibility for an infinite progression.
I would suggest the First Cause is immanent within the universe, and that the verifiable expression of itself is Law.
Again, it's not clear what you mean. Immanent is the opposite of transcendent; of course the First
Cause (should we consent that there was one) is immanent to the universe. So what? This doesn't
preclude the notion that whatever preceded the First Cause -- the thing which started this universe --
wasn't immanent as well.
Nemesio