fett on 24/3/2006 at 06:18
Yes. It's HUGE.
descenterace on 24/3/2006 at 12:37
I don't need religion to explain the Universe. We're one species on one tiny planet. We are not important. Whatever the Universe is here for, it's not us. So whatever it is here for, will happen regardless. Nothing we can do about it so no point worrying.
Also, our understanding of causality is based on our everyday perception of 'reality'. Our reality is somewhat rare in the Universe. I think Terry Pratchett said it best in Hogfather:
'Stars explode, worlds collide, there's hardly anywhere in the Universe where humans can live without being frozen or fried, and yet you believe that a... a bed is a normal thing.'
The overwhelming majority of the Universe is outside our experience. There is no reason for it follow the same intuitive laws as in our perception of reality.
As for causality... We don't know anything about what preceded the Universe. Assuming that there was such a thing as Time is silly; it's equally likely that whatever it was would defy our understanding entirely. Since causality only has meaning in the context of Time, there's no reason to believe that the Universe was caused or created by anything.
And that's pretty much saying 'we don't know enough to figure it out, so let's wait until we do have enough information before worrying about it'.
It's bigger than we are. We'll understand it when we are able to.
Convict on 24/3/2006 at 12:58
I think the question is how/why did the universe come into existence?
Paz on 24/3/2006 at 13:02
A wizard did it.
scumble on 24/3/2006 at 13:16
Ask the Jatravartid people of Viltvodle VI
Jason Moyer on 24/3/2006 at 13:22
Reading about this study immediately made me wonder what the placebo testing would have been like. I think it's pretty important to know whether people are happier/more productive because of some actual metaphysical force or because creating your own reality that makes you happy and comfortable naturally leads to happiness/comfort.
Swiss Mercenary on 24/3/2006 at 13:51
Fuck, if I were an all-powerful, omnipotent being who can snap his fingers and make stars collide, I would probably find some way to exact my HOLY WRATH at the HERETICS that didn't involve an extremely lame 'You're going to die at the age of 70, rather then 80, ha, ha, sucker'.
Convict on 24/3/2006 at 13:55
Maybe He's keeping the Christians around longer to annoy the atheists as punishment. ;)
Jason Moyer, I haven't read the study but I assume it's cross-sectional rather than longitudinal.
descenterace on 24/3/2006 at 14:37
Quote Posted by Convict
I think the question is how/why did the universe come into existence?
My point was that the 'why' may very well be a meaningless question.
There might not be a 'why'.
