The Big Bang and Theology.
Saved in:
| Title: | The Big Bang and Theology. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Pitts, J. Brian (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science. Dec2025, Vol. 60 Issue 4, p1126-1144. 19p. |
| Subjects: | Big bang theory, Theology, Philosophy of science, Physical cosmology, Gravitational collapse, Thermodynamics, Modal logic |
| Abstract: | This article extends and clarifies a case previously made that the cosmic singularity provides negligible support for creation and hence theism. A key task is to provide a modally robust notion of beginning to yield a valid argument. A physical theory might have no metric or multiple metrics, so a beginning, to avoid conventionality, equivocation, and modal provincialism, should imply a lack of past maximal extension, whereas Big Bang models are past maximally extended. The mathematical analogy between the Big Bang and stellar gravitational collapse indicates that the former requires a Creator only if the latter requires a Destroyer. Gravitational thermodynamics, though making rapid progress, is still immature, making it questionable whether thermodynamic arguments against eternal cosmological models will survive. Recent philosophical discussion of the opaque justification of maximal extension toward the past is noted and related to other themes in philosophy and science–religion literature such as rationalism versus empiricism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science is the property of Open Library of Humanities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | This article extends and clarifies a case previously made that the cosmic singularity provides negligible support for creation and hence theism. A key task is to provide a modally robust notion of beginning to yield a valid argument. A physical theory might have no metric or multiple metrics, so a beginning, to avoid conventionality, equivocation, and modal provincialism, should imply a lack of past maximal extension, whereas Big Bang models are past maximally extended. The mathematical analogy between the Big Bang and stellar gravitational collapse indicates that the former requires a Creator only if the latter requires a Destroyer. Gravitational thermodynamics, though making rapid progress, is still immature, making it questionable whether thermodynamic arguments against eternal cosmological models will survive. Recent philosophical discussion of the opaque justification of maximal extension toward the past is noted and related to other themes in philosophy and science–religion literature such as rationalism versus empiricism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 05912385 |
| DOI: | 10.16995/zygon.17122 |
