Recently, in my free time, I was re-reading a book named The Grand Design
written by the famous physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow. This book has left a deep impact on me. It has revolutionized my way of thinking about the universe and ultimately the questions of our existence.
In this book the authors have described elegantly that how regularities in the motion of the astronomical bodies such as the sun, the moon, and the planets suggested that they were governed by fixed laws rather than being subject to arbitrary whims and caprices of gods and demons. At first the existence of such laws became apparent only in astronomy (or astrology, which was regarded as much the same). The behavior of things on earth is so complicated and subject to so many influences that early civilizations were unable to discern any clear patterns or laws governing these phenomena. Gradually, however, new laws were discovered in areas other than astronomy, and this led to the idea of scientific determinism : there must be a complete set of laws that, given the state of the universe at a specific time, would specify how the universe would develop from that time forward. These laws should hold everywhere and at all times; otherwise they wouldn't be laws. There could be no exceptions or miracles. Gods or Demons couldn't intervene in the running of the universe.
At the time that scientific determinism was first proposed, Newton's laws were the only laws known.
The Laws of nature tell us how the universe behaves, but they don't answer the why? questions that are as follows :
Why is there something rather than nothing?
Why do we exist?
Why this particular set of laws and not some other?
Some would claim the answer to these questions is that there is a God who chose to create the universe that way. It is reasonable to ask who or what created the universe, but if the answer is God, then the question has merely been deflected to that of who created God. In this view it is accepted that some entity exist that needs no creator, and that entity is called God. This is known as the first-cause argument for the existence of God. We claim, however that it is possible to answer these questions purely within the realm of science and without invoking any divine beings.
The word "game" in the Game of Life is a misleading term. There are no winners and losers; in fact, there are no players. The Game of Life is not really a game but a set of laws that govern a two-dimensional universe. It is a deterministic universe : once you set up a starting configuration, or initial condition, the laws determine what happens in future.
What makes this universe interesting is that although the fundamental "physics" of this universe is simple, the "chemistry" can be complicated.
Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue torch paper and set the universe going. The universe is the way it is!!
written by the famous physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow. This book has left a deep impact on me. It has revolutionized my way of thinking about the universe and ultimately the questions of our existence.In this book the authors have described elegantly that how regularities in the motion of the astronomical bodies such as the sun, the moon, and the planets suggested that they were governed by fixed laws rather than being subject to arbitrary whims and caprices of gods and demons. At first the existence of such laws became apparent only in astronomy (or astrology, which was regarded as much the same). The behavior of things on earth is so complicated and subject to so many influences that early civilizations were unable to discern any clear patterns or laws governing these phenomena. Gradually, however, new laws were discovered in areas other than astronomy, and this led to the idea of scientific determinism : there must be a complete set of laws that, given the state of the universe at a specific time, would specify how the universe would develop from that time forward. These laws should hold everywhere and at all times; otherwise they wouldn't be laws. There could be no exceptions or miracles. Gods or Demons couldn't intervene in the running of the universe.
At the time that scientific determinism was first proposed, Newton's laws were the only laws known.
The Laws of nature tell us how the universe behaves, but they don't answer the why? questions that are as follows :
Why is there something rather than nothing?
Why do we exist?
Why this particular set of laws and not some other?
Some would claim the answer to these questions is that there is a God who chose to create the universe that way. It is reasonable to ask who or what created the universe, but if the answer is God, then the question has merely been deflected to that of who created God. In this view it is accepted that some entity exist that needs no creator, and that entity is called God. This is known as the first-cause argument for the existence of God. We claim, however that it is possible to answer these questions purely within the realm of science and without invoking any divine beings.
The word "game" in the Game of Life is a misleading term. There are no winners and losers; in fact, there are no players. The Game of Life is not really a game but a set of laws that govern a two-dimensional universe. It is a deterministic universe : once you set up a starting configuration, or initial condition, the laws determine what happens in future.
What makes this universe interesting is that although the fundamental "physics" of this universe is simple, the "chemistry" can be complicated.
Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue torch paper and set the universe going. The universe is the way it is!!
In "The Grand Design" Stephen Hawking postulates that the M-theory may be the Holy Grail of physics...the Grand Unified Theory which Einstein had tried to formulate but never completed. It expands on quantum mechanics and string theories.
ReplyDeleteIn my free ebook on comparative mysticism, "the greatest achievement in life," is a quote by Albert Einstein: “…most beautiful and profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. It is the sower of all true science. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and most radiant beauty – which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their primitive form – this knowledge, this feeling, is at the center of all religion.”
E=mc², Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity, is probably the best known scientific equation. I revised it to help better understand the relationship between divine Essence (Love, Grace, Spirit), matter (mass/energy: visible/dark) and consciousness (f(x) raised to its greatest power). Unlike the speed of light, which is a constant, there are no exact measurements for consciousness. In this hypothetical formula, basic consciousness may be of insects, to the second power of animals and to the third power the rational mind of humans. The fourth power is suprarational consciousness of mystics, when they intuit the divine essence in perceived matter. This was a convenient analogy, but there cannot be a divine formula.
Yes....correct!!......Stephen Hawking is a genius!..It true and I believe that E=mc^2 is not just an eqaution but a complete and true description of Space and Time!!...Would like to know more about you....U know its too hard to find some one with interests like these!! Thnx!
ReplyDeleteHi Abhinav,
ReplyDeleteYou can learn a bit more about me at http://www.peacenext.org/profile/RonKrumpos
You will see that three prominent men from India helped me personally. Also, I attended Lucknow University on a Carnegie grant (1961-62, before you were born).
Cool......Your website is just awesome!! Really, its my pleasure to talk and learn from you Sir!! Keep reading my blogs, and keep commenting!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, where are you now??
In Los Angeles, as my profile on PeaceNext says. Are you familiar with Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar? He was a Nobel astrophysicist and met with me privately at the Yerkes Observatory. Chandra introduced me to mysticism.
ReplyDeleteYeah, obviously i know S. Chandrashekhar, the man behind one of the gr8test achievements in astrophysics. Chandrashekhar Limit was also given by him. He was a genius that helped us to know more 'bout the structure and evolution of stars and knowing that u met him, its so cool. By d way what more did he tell u?.
ReplyDeleteAnd sir do u hav a facebook account or any email id that u could share with me?
I m really lucky to share thoughts with you!!