From: scerir (scerir@libero.it)
Date: Sun Dec 22 2002 - 10:02:17 MST
[gts]
Another way to look at this: the universe is defined
as the totality of all things. The question of what
caused it is meaningless because if there were
something before the creation of the universe that
caused its creation, then that thing must have existed
in the universe -- and that is a contradiction.
[Rafal]
I agree that because time itself is valid only in the context
of the universe, the question about what caused the universe
cannot be couched in temporal terms. What Hal and I say is
(the way I see it) is to provide a conceptual framework
for looking at the universe from an imaginary outside
perspective, to gain a pleasant, aesthetic sense of understanding,
no more.
[Saint Augustine, from 'The City of God']
'Six is a number perfect in itself, and not because God created
the world in six days; rather the contrary is true. God created
the world in six days because this number is perfect, and it would
remain perfect, even if the work of the six days did not exist.'
[J. A. Wheeler, from 'Geons, Black Holes & Quantum Foam']
'According to a graffito that I once saw in the men's room
of the Pecan Street Cafe in Austin, Texas, "Time is nature's
way to keep everything from happening all at once".'
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