It may just be the alcohol talking, but you’ll have to bear with me. I have a tendency to over think things, and when I’m drunk, my mind tends to wander much further than I usually allow it. I tend to keep it on a tight leash, otherwise. But occasionally, I give it free reign (scary, huh?).
In quantum physics, and more specifically, quantum theory, we have equations that explain the existance of certain phenomenon and effects. We have equations that describe the movement of time, paradoxes, and the way that matter may simultaneously exist in two different states at the same time.
The big bang theory explains the creation of the universe, and more to the point, the things that happened immediately after. There was an explosion of unimaginable power, and we suddenly had matter and anti-matter scattered for light years in every direction. In that instant, time and space and all the forces that make everything work properly in our reality had sprung in to action.
But why?
I know that that is the eternal question. It is such a basic and fundamental thing to say, “Why?”, that we all learned to do so almost as soon as we learned how to talk.
But really, why?
The equations that describe how time operates show us that time can move in both directions, forward and backward. And yet, time seems to arbitrarily move forward, and we don’t know why.
We don’t understand how two objects can interact with each other simultaneously via an effect known as quantum tunneling, and yet it happens. As far as we’re concerned, it’s magic, but we can recreate the effect almost effortlessly.
As an Atheist, I do not believe in there being a reason for our existence or a reason for the Universe. There need not be a reason. But there still leaves the why. Why did the Universe become what it is? Why is there a reality and life and everything that we see? The fact that I’m able to even ask these questions means that I exist.
Descartes said, roughly translated, “I think, therefore I am.” He was only saying that, in some context, in some sort of fashion, he existed because he could think. As a philosopher, he couldn’t prove much beyond that.
And in that simple statement is the sum of all human wisdom. We can’t explain the whys and whatfors and the existence of the universe. I can’t prove that I’m actually sitting here in my office and drinking spiced rum and listening to loud music.
All I can prove is that I’m thinking, and that somewhere, these thoughts must be coming from somewhere. That is the only tangible proof I have that I exist, and whats more, I can’t prove that anybody else exists. I can’t prove that my father, who is sitting behind me, actually exists in any kind of relative context.
It’s maddening, if you think about it. Philosophy and the ideology of infinity have surely driven all the poets and scientists to the brink of insanity and back.
One thing I remember clearly from studying philosophy was this: If you consider the trillions and trillions of events that had to occur in perfect order, without fail and without issue, in order for you to exist. From the creation of the universe, from the matter of the stars creating heavier elements, creating solar systems and planets. From the creation of simple proteins, and the initial single cell creatures. And with all the time of evolution, and every ancestor being able to find a mate and survive long enough to reproduce.
And then bam! 13 billion years later, here you are.
Now consider this: Statistically, it is more likely that the universe, you, me, and everything that we both know and see, suddenly sprung from nothing in to what we see now just seconds ago. It’s certainly possible, and even more likely than the chain of events that ended in my sitting here typing away.
….. maybe I shouldn’t drink anymore tonight? I think I’m giving myself a headache.