In the Beginning

The branch of philosophy know as metaphysics, the study of being, deals with what is called “the ontological shock” brought on by the question., “Why should there be anything anyhow?” There is no necessity for there to be anything in existence. There might just as well be a huge, empty void. Indeed it has been widely believed that so it once was. Even the scientific world now believes that before the Big Bang there was nothing, and all the religious traditions of the world, primitive and advanced, contain myths of creation, exnihilo, as the Latin has it, “out of nothing.”

The ancient Hebrews preserved their myth in the opening chapters of Genesis, and this was adapted by Christians and Muslims. In the East, the creation was an accident that never should have happened. All things material are illusory and transitory. Only the invisible, the infinite are real and enduring. Howard Nemerov, one-time Poet Laureate, wrote that “there has never been a tree critical about the nature of things,” but humans have from their earliest beginnings asked questions about why and how.

The earliest answers were in the form of myths, which are literally false but nonetheless contain profound truths. These were replaced by more sophisticated theologies, all of which respond to the ontological shock with answers. God created all things, or all things are dreams, unreal. Asked who he was, the Buddha responded, “I am awake”.

Science now believes that all things came into being through an incredible explosion some thirteen billion years ago. This belief came about through two discoveries: that the cosmos is expanding and that radiation is ubiquitous throughout the heavens, even to their farthest reaches, remnants of that first bang. No one knows whether the expansion will continue forever or that it will reach an outer limit and then reverse itself back to its beginning.

The Hindus have believed that for a long time. Science can answer the “how” but not the “why.” The latter may in fact have no answer. Bertrand Russell and others believe that all things are empty of any meaning or deeper significance, that man is alone in an empty, uncaring universe, without support for his moral values.

Some have recently adopted a view called “intelligent design,” which posits a purpose and significance to all things, though such is not a scientific theory supported by evidence. On the other hand, evidence does not rule out such an idea. It is both credible and plausible though it is no answer to “how”, no substitute for the Big Bang or geology or evolution. It is theology, not science.

One scientific theorem that is relevant here is the conservation of matter which is simply a different form of energy. The two convert back and forth, but nothing that has being ever ceases to be - it simply converts. Stephen Hawkins believed for a while that objects drawn into a Black Hole were destroyed and ceased to exist, but he finally was persuaded that this idea conflicts with conservation and now speaks of what is called a “singularity” deep within a Black Hole. We are unsure of whether or in what form anything comes out of a Black Hole once it has been devoured, but it is now posited that there are dimensions beyond the familiar three and Einstein’s time/space discovery. This suggests that the things that have being may be far more diverse and numerous than even the vast infinity visible to us, which enters our sphere of awareness.

Among some, that realization evokes awe, perhaps a degree of reverence, if there were not already enough in our worlds to produce such a response. Hamlet once remarked to Horatio, “There are more things in heaven than are dreamed of in your philosophy.” As always, Shakespeare comes up with the final word!

Homophilous has an earned PhD and several honorary doctorates. He has been a college professor, a college dean and a college president. He has worked in the international relations field, has been a professional fund-raiser and has authored several books. To throw bouquets or bricks at the author of the above, send e-mail to Homophilous@aol.com.