[betty boop]

There is no sense per se in declaring that because a thing had a beginning, it must therefore have begun on its own.

I can't think of a single example in nature of a thing that has a spontaneously self-generated beginning, "out of nothing," as it were. Maybe there are such things; just I haven't seen one yet. Can anyone here point out to me a single instance of such a thing?

WRT Hawking, A-G I agree with your perception that he is beginning with a conclusion, and is marshalling his "evidence" to make sure his preferred conclusion can be reached. It seems quite an odd way to approach scientific questions....

Thanks for your kind words, A-G -- and for this wonderful post!

[js1138]

WRT Hawking, A-G I agree with your perception that he is beginning with a conclusion, and is marshalling his "evidence" to make sure his preferred conclusion can be reached. It seems quite an odd way to approach scientific questions....

Of course those who assert that God had no beginning would never indulge in this kind of reasoning.

;^)

Hawking is not asserting he has solved the problem of first causes, he is merely describing a possible universe that does not require a beginning in time. Previous assertions of the eternal existence of the universe ran into physical constraints -- for example in a static eternal and infinite universe, we would be receiving light from all existing bodies; the entire celestial sphere would be as bright and hot as the sun.

These were nineteenth century puzzles. Hawking dealt with twentieth century puzzles. Now we have new puzzles.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for your reply! Of course, I agree with you as always! I can't think of a single example in nature of a thing that has a spontaneously self-generated beginning, "out of nothing," as it were. Maybe there are such things; just I haven't seen one yet. Can anyone here point out to me a single instance of such a thing?

Some may point out the virtual particles come into and out of existence in a vacuum. However, IMHO, the "take" on what is happening in that instance may be radically changed with more information on super strings (multi-dimensionality.)