Why The Universe Exists - Philosophy of Infinity

[@treypearson7706]

5:54 “What was before the Big Bang? I don’t know, could be more stuff” I genuinely enjoyed this video so much, it really feels like a down to Earth chat with one of the smartest friends you know

[@yoseftovshteyn]

Thanks! It means a lot. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@AbissoInteriore]

I think the human psyche cannot really portray nothingness, the same way it cannot portray infinity. When I think of nothingness, I think about space, but even on the intergalactic void of space, there is still fluctuations of energy in the vacuum itself. I hope someday humanity will be able to answer this video's questions, but, for now, we can only go back to the Big Bang.

[@henkiemeneer9416]

I hope some day humanity will stop ascribing intent to the universe. There is no "why". You can only ask someone "why" they are doing something, this question does not apply to the universe.

[@yoseftovshteyn]

It’s an interesting point. What you are saying about seeing space when you try to think of nothingness is the same thing that Emanuel Kant wrote in the book Critique of Pure Reason. I would agree that A human probably can’t portray infinity or nothingness. I can’t even portray a Coffee mug, i only see it one side at a time, and I can’t really see it, I’m representing it in my brain. But it is a good working representation because I can’t understand it for my needs. Science works in measurements, and in that sense we are limited to observable things. the questions in this video would be more categorized as metaphysics or philosophy, and and it’s more based on thinking and intuitions, and even if we could measure what was before the Big Bang, these kind of questions would still be there. Sometimes it is useful for scientists to think about philosophy if there is an opportunity for a big discovery, so that they can think out of the box. For example the man that discovered/created the Big Bang theory was a Catholic Priest

[@AbissoInteriore]

@@yoseftovshteyn interesting to know that Kant thought about something similar, especially when considered he was one of the first to propose the universe might be more than just the milky way. That's an interesting perspective, the fact we don't portray, but represent it in our brains. The nervous system is such a complicated and fascinating thing. I believe I tend to let science be the foundation of my beliefs and ideas, which led me to misinterpret your video. This made me think about a famous quote from Werner Heisenberg: "the first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” But, the main question is: why there is something? I can feel my brain getting very stressed by just thinking about it, similar to how it gets when I try to imagine a colour our eyes can't see. I really like your thought process, that nothingness is infinity, and that infinity is an infinite array of possibilities. So, from what I understood, it seems nothingness is everything, at the same moment it is nothing. Makes me thing about the Black Hole universe Hypothesis. Our universe is a black hole, that is inside another, and another, and another. There may be an infinite number of black holes, which would put us on the same question we were to begin with. It's a very complex topic, one that philosophers have been trying to understand for thousands of years. With that in mind, it is extremely important that we keep this curiosity, that we keep trying to find some reason at the basis of our existence.

[@Joeonline26]

This has to be a character created by a comedian. There's no way this can be a serious person.

[@yoseftovshteyn]

There is always a way

[@adamlord3550]

Would I be silly to say, I think asking why is an irrelevant question? The answer for me is thst existence is just existence, like an "accident". There is no explanation for it, or why it exists, it just does.

[@yoseftovshteyn]

Most academics may agree that it’s not worth asking because it’s impractical, and maybe lead to speculation. in reality I think it’s an interesting question, and maybe one of the most important ones for philosophy of physics, whether or not humans can fully answer it is another thing.

[@JungoBungo-c8v]

@@yoseftovshteynPhilosophy really got me into math (and subsequently physics). Huge respect for people like you. Much love! Although, why do we love. I think there’s not really reason, moreover that it’s illogical to love. I’m curious on your thoughts about this!

[@henkiemeneer9416]

I think you are correct to question why "why" is so important to people. I think the question is a result of the "intentional stance", which is a type of analysis that is meant for animate beings. It assumes that the being has goals and intentions and reasons according to this assumption. To make this assumption about the universe would be a huge leap in logic. It is almost frightening how important this rationalisation of everything around us is to so many people. I sometimes catch myself doing it, even though I am highly opposed it.

[@yoseftovshteyn]

Thank you, I’m glad you are enjoying philosophy, math, and physics. Thanks for the question, it is a good question. Love certainly is a mystery, it can be approached through psychology. One way is to study the subconscious, my favorite psychologist is Carl Jung. Another is the question of consciousness, love is not the only mystery there, but all experiences, for example experiences of seeing color. This is a question that may need a combination of psychology, physics, and philosophy. It may even be that that love has roots in the level of cells, when they organize together.

[@adamlord3550]

@yoseftovshteyn I am actually studying psychology right now and will be starting a dual honours at uni next year in bio and psych. (With an aim for psychotherapy and a specialisation in child psychotherapy) Perhaps when I get into my research years, I will look more into this topic.

[@Roacoelho]

Nothing is something we call nothing

[@Олександр-к6о2л]

logical

[@Ziri-hk2eb]

I have finally found a philosopher who has a high IQ and is not pretentious.

[@Glassandcandy]

That mustache and pipe begs to differ

[@henkiemeneer9416]

@@Glassandcandy exactly lol, I was thinking the exact opposite

[@yogbarog100]

@@Glassandcandy plus rambling and incoherent thought.

[@uotxoai1188]

great words😧

[@AntipodeCereal-ku9se]

Maybe asking "Why" is nonsensical? It smuggles in an intent. Maybe "How" would be a better question... Also, when you draw a circle and name it an object, don't you assume that objects are intrinsic/real and not human (imaginary) shortcuts that help us survive?

[@henkiemeneer9416]

Exactly, asking the universe "why" is applying the intentional stance onto something inanimate. I do think he does treat it as a how question when (trying to) answering the question though. What do you mean with your last point? That rationality is nothing more than an evolutionary trait?

[@yoseftovshteyn]

that’s a fair point you make. The question was why is it something rather than nothing, which I see as simultaneously asking how. The circle I’m drawing isn’t just representing objects but all opposites

[@gingerbread7829]

Hi

[@yoseftovshteyn]

Hello