Before the Big Bang? (Origins)

by David Turell , Tuesday, July 08, 2014, 15:11 (3789 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: The subheading for this article is: There is no such epoch as “before the big bang”, because time began with the big bang, says physicist and astrobiologist Paul Davies, which is a direct quote from the text. In my original response, I commented on what seemed to be a contradiction, but I'm afraid for me that only adds to the confusion. Nevertheless, I'm glad you gave us the article to read, as it's comforting to know that you (and maybe Paul Davies too) are just as confused as I am.-The other interpretation of Davies remarks is obvious, but I hadn't stated it before. If there is no epoch, then the BB must have appeared denovo, from nothing, and threfore created by God who is not an epoch but a spiritual being. Davies can't say that, because as a leading scientist his career would be in severe jepardy. You will remember that Vilenkin produced a paper within the past year saying this universe and all possible multiverses simply appear with no 'before' before them. At least you and I see the lack of logic in that, but note that Davies dismisses that logic carefully in his essay, by saying we humans have a tendency to always expect causes. But that is our experience! My fingers typing this just proved it. But I view Davies from all of his writings, and I have the right to interpret him as I do. He is not a Stenger-style atheist.