Why does the universe exist?

“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you first have to create the entire universe”

Carl Sagan.


Same principle for creating humans.

@divegeester said
“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you first have to create the entire universe”

Carl Sagan.


Same principle for creating humans.

Yes. As you apparently surmise, the universe exists so that humans can exist.

Yes, yes, I know the science-based atheist crowd will make noises at that, but I admit that I am a science-based Christian. No apologies.

@suzianne said
the universe exists so that humans can exist.

I understand how this is an article of faith based on how humans perceive themselves but does it work when one is explaining the existence of 400 billion stars in the Milky Way, and 2 trillion galaxies in the visible universe?

@divegeester said
“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you first have to create the entire universe”

Carl Sagan.


Same principle for creating humans.

Why does the universe exist?

Thoughts:

[1] I am not convinced there has to be an answer to this.

[2] Assuming there is an answer, surely it is something that we can only speculate about.

[3] Given No.[1] and No.[2] above, the more pressing philosophical questions - given that the universe does exist and we are part of it - to my way of thinking, revolve around how to find meaning in our lives. Which makes...

[4] Suzianne's perspective as good a starting point as any alternative, especially as it doesn't really matter to No.[3] if she is wrong.

@divegeester said
“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you first have to create the entire universe”

Carl Sagan.


Same principle for creating humans.

Someone is going around creating galaxies with intelligent life in them. So there has to be trillions of planets with beings some more advanced and some less advanced. This someone is the being Christians call God. Every 7 days another galaxy appears. God creates for 6 days and rests 1 day. A day could mean anything ... a thousand yrs, a million yrs... nobody knows.

@fmf said
I understand how this is an article of faith based on how humans perceive themselves but does it work when one is explaining the existence of 400 billion stars in the Milky Way, and 2 trillion galaxies in the visible universe?

Would you rather speak to an evangelical Republican about that?

@suzianne said
Would you rather speak to an evangelical Republican about that?

No. Not especially. The question of why the universe exists is one for anyone to ponder, regardless of their religious or political persuasion.

@fmf said
I understand how this is an article of faith based on how humans perceive themselves but does it work when one is explaining the existence of 400 billion stars in the Milky Way, and 2 trillion galaxies in the visible universe?

Missed the rest of my post, eh?

@suzianne said
Missed the rest of my post, eh?

No. I simply asked you a question about the bit I quoted. I haven't "missed" anything. And, by the way, if you are going to sidestep my question, then so be it.

@divegeester
Why does the universe exist?
Standard philosophical thought supplies the following three possibilities:

1) A force created it.
2) There is no reason.
3) The universe created itself.

@pianoman1 said
@divegeester
Why does the universe exist?
Standard philosophical thought supplies the following three possibilities:

1) A force created it.
2) There is no reason.
3) The universe created itself.

4) The universe has always existed, in one form or another.

@ghost-of-a-duke said
4) The universe has always existed, in one form or another.

Always existed? Surely there is always birth, life and death?
I would agree that birth is controversial - what was there before birth? - but a universe without birth is an interesting 4th possibility.

@pianoman1 said
@divegeester
Why does the universe exist?
Standard philosophical thought supplies the following three possibilities:

1) A force created it.
2) There is no reason.
3) The universe created itself.

These are possibilities of the what, not the why.

@pianoman1 said
Always existed? Surely there is always birth, life and death?
I would agree that birth is controversial - what was there before birth? - but a universe without birth is an interesting 4th possibility.

If God can be eternal, why not the universe itself?

Or was God born?

@fmf said
I understand how this is an article of faith based on how humans perceive themselves but does it work when one is explaining the existence of 400 billion stars in the Milky Way, and 2 trillion galaxies in the visible universe?

It "works" just fine, thanks.

Do you have a complaint?

Here's a 3x5 card. Be as detailed as you can. Then throw it away.