Why is there something rather than nothing? This bewildering question has finally been answered without relying on unfounded assumptions. The explanation for existence comes from logic alone. The argument is known as the Tautological Theory of Existence.
This explanation was first discussed in articles on the Truth Reconciled blog, and then detailed in the book, “Existence Solved: The Origin of the Universe and the Laws of Physics,” by Jared Jay, PhD.
Transcript:
Existence seems to be the most obvious observation in the world, but it is also the most difficult fact to explain. Everything around you, everything you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste, even every thought in your mind, is proof that something exists.
But how did this physical universe come into existence? Why is there something rather than nothing? The more you think about it, the more perplexing this mystery becomes. How is it possible? Why isn’t there just nothing?
The question of why anything exists at all is known in philosophy as the “fundamental question of metaphysics.” It has also been dubbed the “ultimate question of physics” because every law and entity in the universe must follow from the answer. The so-called “Holy Grail of Physics,” the theory of everything that explains all physical phenomena in the universe, is expected to be revealed if we can just find the answer to the fundamental question.
Many attempts have been made by great thinkers of the past, but all have fallen short of providing a complete explanation for existence. Every supposed explanation requires the previous unexplained existence of some universe-creating being, mechanism, or principle. Many claim that God is the explanation for existence. But the question remains: why did God exist instead of nothing? Others claim that a quantum fluctuation created the universe. But why was there a realm of quantum possibilities following the laws of physics instead of just nothing?
These attempts to explain existence are clearly incomplete. They assume a form of physical existence from the start In order to explain the existence of everything else. They beg the question of why the universe-creating entities existed in the first place.
The ultimate answer to the ultimate question should not assume the prior existence of anything. Existence has to be shown to follow from logic alone. Anything short of a purely logical explanation will only beg for additional explanations. Many philosophers have argued that such an explanation is impossible, but a brand new theory claims to have finally achieved this solution.
It is known as the Tautological Theory of Existence, because it is founded on three tautological premises, statements that are absolutely true under all circumstances. These three irrefutable premises are:
- the tautological definition of physical existence,
- the tautological totalitarian principle,
- and the tautological principle of natural selection.
The main flow of the argument is shown in this diagram.
Together, these three undeniable principles lead to the generation of the physical universe as we know it. Despite its simplicity and lack of assumptions, this tautological explanation for existence allows for a universe of infinite complexity and sheds light on many previously unexplained mysteries.
The development of existence in the tautological theory is as follows.
First, we state the goal of the argument: We require a true and assumption-free explanation for physical existence.
Second, we recognize the Tautology Requirement: The only way to provide a true and assumption-free explanation is to ensure that the explanation is a logical tautology,
Third, we recognize the Definition Requirement: It is impossible to provide a definite answer to a question that is not defined, so physical existence cannot be properly explained unless it is defined.
Fourth, we recognize the necessity for a Circular Definition: The only way to ensure that the explanation is a tautology is to begin with a circular definition of physical existence, as any alternative definition would necessarily be assuming something. In other words, an entity exists physically if it exists physically.
Fifth we recognize the emergence of Indeterminacy: Although it was necessary and absolutely true, the circular definition of physical existence makes it impossible to determine upfront if a possible entity exists. The existence of any given entity is therefore indeterminate.
Sixth, we apply the The Tautological Totalitarian Principle: The tautological totalitarian principle can be stated as follows: if B exists, then A exists if and only if the existence of A doesn’t contradict the existence of B. This statement is a logical tautology, true in all possible cases. Therefore, it compels the existence of anything that is compatible with whatever already exists. Note that we don’t know what already exists, and we haven’t assumed the existence of anything, but the logic still holds.
Seventh, we define Contingent Existence: The existence of any possible entity is currently indeterminate due to the circular definition. But it is now additionally contingent upon passing the test of compatibility with all other existing entities, if there are any. We call this “contingent existence.”
Eighth, we implement the Contingent Compatibility Test: All possible entities obtain the status of contingent existence. In order to qualify for existence, the contingent entities must pass the test of compatibility. We cannot currently say what exists, but we know that whatever can exist is necessarily a subset of all the contingent entities. Therefore, if an entity is compatible with all the contingent entities, then it exists.
Ninth, contingent existence is filtered by a process of Elimination: Many contingent entities contradict one another. These fail the test of compatibility and are eliminated from consideration. (This is where the tautological principle of natural selection comes in.)
Tenth, we do not prohibit the possibility of Randomness: It may be that every possible entity has a logical opposite, and thus everything may be contradictory and cancel out to nothing. There is one way out of this nullifying cancellation. An entity that can randomly manifest or fail to manifest in the space of contingent existence permits an unbalanced cancellation of opposite entities. If an entity randomly manifests while its opposite does not, then the entity will achieve existence without being contradicted.
We are not assuming randomness, but we are accepting it as a coherent possibility. Since all possible entities are considered for contingent existence, entities with the property of randomness are necessarily included. The entities remaining after the first cancellation are the primordial substance of the physical universe.
Eleventh, we carry out the Iterative Calculation: The totalitarian principle requires us to continue testing all possible entities again and again, because any entity found to be consistent with whatever already exists must necessarily exist. This becomes an endless, ordered, logical calculation of consistent existence.
Twelfth, the emergence of Spacetime: The logical calculation of existence takes the form of an ordered network of entities connected through logical operations. The order of the calculation is the origin of time. The relationships between the entities form the fabric of space. When parameterized with a coordinate system, this network of entities can be shown to exhibit the properties of spacetime, namely, causality and Special Relativity.
Thirteenth, the emergence of Energy: Entities or groups of entities that demonstrate stability through the successive steps of time become the matter and energy of the universe.
And there we have it. Starting from an intrinsically true foundation with no unfounded assumptions, we have derived a physically existing universe with all the attributes that we expect. The question of why the universe exists has been answered in a way that is complete, logical, and in agreement with modern physics. No assumptions were necessary, because the premises of the theory are logical tautologies that are objectively true by their nature. The tautological explanation for existence paves the way for a better understanding of the nature of the universe and its laws.
Having no prior structure, physical existence necessarily undergoes a constant exploratory process of defining itself. Quantum indeterminacy and randomness arise naturally. Time, space, and energy emerge from the structure of the never-ending logical calculation of existence. All the laws of physics follow, shedding light on many mysteries along the way. We no longer need to ask where the universe and its laws come from; we need only ask what we can do with them.
More information below.
Truth Reconciled articles on existence: https://truthreconciled.com/existence/
Existence Solved website: https://sites.google.com/view/existence-solved/home
Existence Solved Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Existence-Solved-Origin-Universe-Physics/dp/B0D2YQ1LWC
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