Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important

[Zzyzx]

Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important in Life?

In many of these threads there is hot debate about the origin of the universe. Here are a few comments regarding the topic:

1. No one involved in the debates here seems to possess knowledge of advanced physics, mathematics, chemistry, astronomy, etc. Many ardent debaters seem to be non-scientific or anti-scientific in orientation, yet seem to claim or imply understanding of the topic.

2. Knowledge of the origin of the universe may be “nice to know” but it is not important in living a successful, satisfying, productive life in modern society by one’s own standards. Knowledge of medicine, mechanics, electronics, meteorology, seismology, etc has application to real life. Origin of the universe does not.

3. The primary motivation do discuss the origin of the universe seems to be to defend the claim that gods, or one god in particular, created the universe. Otherwise discussion would likely involve primarily scientists exploring the limits of human knowledge and understanding – not laymen attempting to defend an emotional position.

4. Time spent pondering or arguing the origin of the universe might be more productively devoted to other topics – perhaps some with a possibility of positive outcome.

Excluding religious motivations, of what compelling interest is knowledge of the origin of the universe to you personally?

[Confused]

Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important in Life?

I think it is very important to know the beginning. By knowing this, we can begin to really address the issue of our universe being unique as opposed to others existing.

Are you proposing that you KNOW the origin of the universe AND that there are other universes?

Nope, and likely won't in my generation.

As a demonstration of what I mean by evoking scientific information in a debate without understanding how the information relates to the real world, see misapplication of information about the hydrologic cycle in the thread entitled “What is a Non-Spiritualist” http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 7&start=10

Duely noted. Can't comment on that thread, didn't participate or even read it. Sorry.

I agree that there are spin-off benefits from advanced scientific study. I do not see “MRI's, PET scans, space shuttles” as related to “origin of the universe” study.

My point is that “Knowledge of medicine, mechanics, electronics, meteorology, seismology, etc has application to real life. Origin of the universe does not”

I do not advocate abandoning study of the origin of the universe, only putting it in perspective and NOT attempting to counter research with scripture and speculation.

By understanding the universe, we learn how to manipulate it. If we never delved into subatomic particles or elementary particles that make up our universe, we would have no MRI's, PET scans, CT scans, and likely even radiology or ultrasounds. It is by learning about our universe that we learn how to use it. Imagine discovering the energy source behind the BB? Imagine if we could learn what was here before our universe? Another universe annihilated? Could we learn how to avoid the same fate (stretching the sci fi here, I know). My point is that the more we learn of our universe the more practical applications are developed. Learning the source of the beginning could yield valuable future applications. One doesn't know until one knows (Ugg, circular, my bag).

[katiej49]

Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important in Life?

In many of these threads there is hot debate about the origin of the universe. Here are a few comments regarding the topic:

1. No one involved in the debates here seems to possess knowledge of advanced physics, mathematics, chemistry, astronomy, etc. Many ardent debaters seem to be non-scientific or anti-scientific in orientation, yet seem to claim or imply understanding of the topic.

2. Knowledge of the origin of the universe may be “nice to know” but it is not important in living a successful, satisfying, productive life in modern society by one’s own standards. Knowledge of medicine, mechanics, electronics, meteorology, seismology, etc has application to real life. Origin of the universe does not.

3. The primary motivation do discuss the origin of the universe seems to be to defend the claim that gods, or one god in particular, created the universe. Otherwise discussion would likely involve primarily scientists exploring the limits of human knowledge and understanding – not laymen attempting to defend an emotional position.

4. Time spent pondering or arguing the origin of the universe might be more productively devoted to other topics – perhaps some with a possibility of positive outcome.

Excluding religious motivations, of what compelling interest is knowledge of the origin of the universe to you personally?

who made us and why we are here are the big questions. knowledge of higher mathematics isnt going to satisfy that deep urge we all have to know who made us and what our purpose is....most people (myself included) dont know squat about physics and chemistry.....so where does that leave most of the world? .......the most educated AND the least in the world have the same basic questions...why are we here? is ANYBODY out there....does Someone love me......blessings

[bernee51]

Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important in Life?

In many of these threads there is hot debate about the origin of the universe. Here are a few comments regarding the topic:

1. No one involved in the debates here seems to possess knowledge of advanced physics, mathematics, chemistry, astronomy, etc. Many ardent debaters seem to be non-scientific or anti-scientific in orientation, yet seem to claim or imply understanding of the topic.

2. Knowledge of the origin of the universe may be “nice to know” but it is not important in living a successful, satisfying, productive life in modern society by one’s own standards. Knowledge of medicine, mechanics, electronics, meteorology, seismology, etc has application to real life. Origin of the universe does not.

3. The primary motivation do discuss the origin of the universe seems to be to defend the claim that gods, or one god in particular, created the universe. Otherwise discussion would likely involve primarily scientists exploring the limits of human knowledge and understanding – not laymen attempting to defend an emotional position.

4. Time spent pondering or arguing the origin of the universe might be more productively devoted to other topics – perhaps some with a possibility of positive outcome.

Excluding religious motivations, of what compelling interest is knowledge of the origin of the universe to you personally?

who made us and why we are here are the big questions.

Why are they the big question? Why should they be big questions? Does it really matter if we never know?

...why are we here?

That one's easy to answer. Because we are.

is ANYBODY out there....

I prefer to ask...who is 'in here'?

does Someone love me

...Do I love anyone?...Di I love me?

[QED]

who made us and why we are here are the big questions. knowledge of higher mathematics isnt going to satisfy that deep urge we all have to know who made us and what our purpose is...

Let me assure you that Mathematical Physicists are just as keen to satisfy that deep urge as you and I are and may have the tools to pull it off! There is, however, one slight twist: in general there is no presumption that we were made by a person or for a purpose. These ideas have been inherited by us from a time in history where knowledge about things like physics and chemistry could have been on par with your own.

....most people (myself included) dont know squat about physics and chemistry.....so where does that leave most of the world?

With little else to go on, we might do no better than look to our own creativity and draw a direct analogy between the world of our own purposefully created artifacts and the world we inhabit. Yet with better scientific knowledge we can see how intelligence of the kind we possess isn't always needed to make intelligent looking choices. Removing our kind of intelligence also removes our kind of purpose.

So these things are not necessarily a contributory factor in our existence. We can deploy further scientific tools in order to attempt to clarify this ambiguity.

.......the most educated AND the least in the world have the same basic questions...why are we here? is ANYBODY out there....does Someone love me......blessings

There are plenty of things in the world we could point to that could be presumed to exist without intent (intelligent purpose). We really ought to be prepared to accept that we and everything else might ultimately be of this nature. I find it difficult understanding the problem this seems to present to some people...

For example, it's unfortunate that some orphans are denied the love and intent of their parents but they can still lead a life full of purpose and love of their own making. They might discover the facts of their origins some day but should it detract from their being 100% human? It's possible that God is an imaginary solution to an imaginary problem.

[Curious]

Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important in Life?

Of course it is important. If we are to know where we are heading, it is necessary to know where we are and where we came from.

[Greatest I Am]

Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important in Life?

Of course it is important. If we are to know where we are heading, it is necessary to know where we are and where we came from.

I do not need to know where the apple came from to eat and enjoy it.

I do not need to know many things to live and enjoy life.
Many die before that kind of knowledge is available and still get to Heaven.

We do not need to see the destination to know that it is there.
Why would we need to know the beginning of a physical, political system to know a spiritual non physical, system.

Regards
DL

[Cathar1950]

Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important in Life?

Of course it is important. If we are to know where we are heading, it is necessary to know where we are and where we came from.

I do not need to know where the apple came from to eat and enjoy it.

I do not need to know many things to live and enjoy life.
Many die before that kind of knowledge is available and still get to Heaven.

We do not need to see the destination to know that it is there.
Why would we need to know the beginning of a physical, political system to know a spiritual non physical, system.

Regards
DL

If while you are eating the apple you tell us that it is the only fruit when there are many trees with perfectly good fruit on them and you hand me an invisible spiritual non physical apple. It is even more confusing when people are starving and you promise them the fruit when they die.

[Greatest I Am]

Is knowing the "Origin of the Universe" Important in Life?

Of course it is important. If we are to know where we are heading, it is necessary to know where we are and where we came from.

I do not need to know where the apple came from to eat and enjoy it.

I do not need to know many things to live and enjoy life.
Many die before that kind of knowledge is available and still get to Heaven.

We do not need to see the destination to know that it is there.
Why would we need to know the beginning of a physical, political system to know a spiritual non physical, system.

Regards
DL

If while you are eating the apple you tell us that it is the only fruit when there are many trees with perfectly good fruit on them and you hand me an invisible spiritual non physical apple. It is even more confusing when people are starving and you promise them the fruit when they die.

If you can see thee trees full of fruit then I obviously lie and you would be foolish to listen.
If the trees are there and invisible to you then I would pick for you.
If all I have left after my apple is gone is knowledge of the spiritual fruit, then I will offer that for some joy as you die.

I hope I understand your analogy properly.

Regards
DL