Why would the universe create critters capable of understanding how it works?

Discussion in 'Free Thoughts' started by joepistole, Nov 22, 2008.

  1. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    Assuming that man or the works of man will someday be able to have a grasp of what the universe is and how it came to be, why would the universe do such a thing? It is just chance, a random event? It did because it could?
     
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  3. cato less hate, more science Registered Senior Member

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    the last pert of your question is closest. the universe is not an agent, it does not act with purpose. it is evolutionarily beneficial for a creature to understand it's surroundings. there really isn't much mystery there.
     
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  5. Absane Rocket Surgeon Valued Senior Member

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    Your question assumes that the universe has a goal or target to be reached. The universe is so old, complex, and full of energy that the probability of anything realistic happening is not zero.
     
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  7. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    What makes you think any critter understands how the universe works?
     
  8. Baron Max Registered Senior Member

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    He probably read it in one of those psycho-babblist books.

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  9. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    That is why I worded it the way I did SAM. I used the word "assuming". I guess any word longer thatn 4 letters is too much for Baron.
     
  10. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    The universe isn't a mystery it is more an enigma. It is there to be understood by those beings capable of doing so. I'm sure other beings have already unlocked many unknown things about the universe just as we have been doing for a few thousand years. We will one day also understand all about the universe and how it began, it will just take a little more time is all for us to catch on and catch up!

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  11. Steve100 O͓͍̯̬̯̙͈̟̥̳̩͒̆̿ͬ̑̀̓̿͋ͬ ̙̳ͅ ̫̪̳͔O Valued Senior Member

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    What makes you think the universe cares?
     
  12. chris4355 Registered Senior Member

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    as far as I know we really dont understand any of it.
     
  13. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    I don't think I said the Universe cares. My point was the universe is incredibly complex and we really do not have a very good handle on it. If we should one day, or our creations be they organic or inorganic might one day understand the Universe and its design and function, does that say anything about the Universe? I think Cato was close, is because it can. But that is just my speculation.

    And you may be correct Chris.
     
  14. StrangerInAStrangeLand SubQuantum Mechanic Valued Senior Member

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    If I thought the universe was conscious, I'd like to know those things but AFAIK I have no way of knowing its motives or goals.
    1 problem with this & gods, aliens & such is that people assume they can know & understand their minds & that their motives & goals must be the same as humans. Thus conclusions that thisorthat wouldn't happen because it makes no sense to us.
    I'm not saying it shouldn't be discussed.
    1111
     
  15. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    I am not certian, and I have serious questions about the human mind's abiltiy to comprehend universe and that beyound the universe. Is there a word to describe that which exists outside our universe? Until recently, I don't think man has even contemplated such a possibility.
     
  16. StrangerInAStrangeLand SubQuantum Mechanic Valued Senior Member

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    Outside our universe can mean nothing except parallel universes or other planes of existence. Outside our known universe is anything farther than we can currently detect.
    1111
     
  17. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    I am no expert but my understanding of M Theory says that universes are connected to banes. So banes are outside any universe. It would be good to get Bentheman in here to lend his expertise. Since he is a real physicist and not an arm chair wanna be like moi.
     
  18. GeoffP Caput gerat lupinum Valued Senior Member

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    It did it because it would bother them, creating chaos to fuel the Bang cycle.
     
  19. StrangerInAStrangeLand SubQuantum Mechanic Valued Senior Member

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    IF we find that is so, we'll need to reterm our part of it. Maybe call it 1 cosmi of many. The universe by definition would include all the banes & all they're connected to.
    1111
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 24, 2008
  20. OilIsMastery Banned Banned

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    Good question S.A.M.
     
  21. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    You need to re-read the original post Oil:

    The key word being ASSUMING. I have copied the dictionary definition for you, pay close attention to defintion number 4 and 5 Oil.

    http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assume

    Main Entry: as·sume
    Pronunciation: \ə-ˈsüm\
    Function: transitive verb
    Inflected Form(s): as·sumed; as·sum·ing
    Etymology: Middle English, from Latin assumere, from ad- + sumere to take — more at consume
    Date: 15th century
    1 a: to take up or in : receive b: to take into partnership, employment, or use
    2 a: to take to or upon oneself : undertake <assume responsibility> b: put on , don c: to place oneself in <assume a position>
    3: seize , usurp <assume control>
    4: to pretend to have or be : feign <assumed an air of confidence in spite of her dismay>
    5: to take as granted or true : suppose <I assume he'll be there>
    6: to take over (the debts of another) as one's own
    — as·sum·abil·i·ty \-ˌsü-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
    — as·sum·able \-ˈsü-mə-bəl\ adjective
    — as·sum·ably \-blē\ adverb
     
  22. madanthonywayne Morning in America Registered Senior Member

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    It sounds like your thinking about the anthropic principle. Were the universe not damned near exactly as it is, it would be incapable of supporting life.
    This concept extends even to the age of the universe. We exist in a "golden age" full of main sequence stars, planets, and carbon. A younger universe wouldn't have enough carbon. An older universe might not have enough main sequence stars.

    Some people even think that quantum mechanics demands that there be an observer:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropic_principle

    So, if that theory is correct, no universe without intelligent critters could exist.
     
  23. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, I have read Tipler and I am a fan.
     

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