Is the Universe Alive?

[Hightop]

Is the universe itself a higher power? It is conscious?

From the tv show Through the Wormhole:

[MoonDogg]

[RocketRaccoon]

A long time ago in a galaxy very very far away, I thought that the expansion and the (possible) contraction of the Universe was the pulse of a supreme being.

I still entertain that thought...since science can't really answer the question. And was glad to see a special on that idea.

Btw, love the series.

[Hightop]

Originally Posted by RocketRaccoon A long time ago in a galaxy very very far away, I thought that the expansion and the (possible) contraction of the Universe was the pulse of a supreme being. I still entertain that thought...since science can't really answer the question. And was glad to see a special on that idea. Btw, love the series.

It's interesting that the idea is raised by scientists. I wonder if this will ever be accepted like evolution. If so - what does that mean in a spiritual sense? Will science force us acknowledge a higher power?

[RedRedemption]

Originally Posted by Hightop It's interesting that the idea is raised by scientists. I wonder if this will ever be accepted like evolution. If so - what does that mean in a spiritual sense? Will science force us acknowledge a higher power?

It is a theory among many and not a consensus. Science won't force anything until the hypothesis is proven and backed with concrete evidence. That's the magnificence of science; its true.

[Hightop]

Originally Posted by RedRedemption It is a theory among many and not a consensus. Science won't force anything until the hypothesis is proven and backed with concrete evidence. That's the magnificence of science; its true.

If it is a theory among many scientists - then should the idea of a living higher power be considered absurd?

[RedRedemption]

Originally Posted by Hightop If it is a theory among many scientists - then should the idea of a living higher power be considered absurd?

Usually a hypothesis is made based on certain observations, not enough to generate a conclusion. The fact that they came up with a hypothesis like this says something, but no as of yet it should be taken with a grain of salt.

[Classic]

Originally Posted by Hightop If it is a theory among many scientists - then should the idea of a living higher power be considered absurd?

Obligatory

[Northside Storm]

Originally Posted by Hightop If it is a theory among many scientists - then should the idea of a living higher power be considered absurd?

Unfortunately, even if scientific theory were to indicate this, it is hard to believe that the living universe would be embodied in a surprisingly white and Zeus-inspired male.

Or one that actually somewhat CARES about this world like a SimCity mayor.

[Rashmon]

If it is a theory derived by scientists educated in government schools we will be obligated to destroy them and their schools because the conclusion would be wrong...because of government schools...destroy...government...schools...scientists...does not compute...

[thadeus]

There are plenty of religious scientists.

[Ender120]

Depends what you mean.

Is the universe alive like a plant is alive?

Or is it alive like Charlie Sheen is alive?

In any case, the idea of a higher power isn't necessarily absurd, but it is absurd to think that humans could truly understand a being that far advanced.

[Sweet Lou 4 2]

I can accept the idea of a living universe. Of course, what does it mean to be alive is completely arbitrary. If people want to call such a universe god, they can. But it really only becomes semantics. Is this living universe self-aware or even have the notion of self any more than a bacteria? Does that imply that when we stop being alive that anything in our conscious gets recorded or remembers anywhere? This doesn't address any of that.

It really is mindboggling in the sense that can you imagine an existence without time, space, energy, or anything at all? That all of these things (if you can call them that) are constructs, as are the laws of physics themselves. I mean think about that. That at some point, there was no such thing as time nor space. Meaning that the idea of a multiverse doesn't even make sense as that would imply there was time and space before the big bang.

existence was a spontaneous random occurrence.

[thumbs]

In time we shall all discover the answer. Remember, death is only the beginning.

[KingCheetah]

String theory suggests every bit of the universe is entwined with all other parts of the universe. Quantum entanglement suggests this as well and has been proven -- spooky action at a distance.

[Dubious]

Alive is semantics, aware is the question.

[geeimsobored]

Originally Posted by Hightop If it is a theory among many scientists - then should the idea of a living higher power be considered absurd?

So in most schools, you learn this thing called the "scientific method" which teaches you how scientists evaluate theories like this.

The most important part of this method is the fact that you need to prove your hypothesis with data and observation. Now this step right here might trip you up a bit since to date no one has proven that the Universe is "alive."

So until that happens, it remains a hypothesis and nothing more.

[leroy]

Originally Posted by geeimsobored So in most schools, you learn this thing called the "scientific method" which teaches you how scientists evaluate theories like this. The most important part of this method is the fact that you need to prove your hypothesis with data and observation. Now this step right here might trip you up a bit since to date no one has proven that the Universe is "alive." So until that happens, it remains a hypothesis and nothing more.

Well, if it's learned in an government school, then it must be wrong.

[Scarface281]

I love science:

[HR Dept]

The universe will kill you. You can bet your ass it will.