Cosmology and Philosophy
Cosmology and Philosophy
Instructor: Gary Zabel
Office: 035/5th Floor of Wheatley
E-Mail Address: gzabel@comcast.net
This is the Golden Age of cosmology. Many
scientific advances have converged in the 21st Century to make it so. Einstein's
theory of general relativity provided physicists with the conceptual framework
necessary to describe the spatial and temporal structure of the universe as a
whole. Hubble's discovery of galactic redshift demonstrated that the cosmos is
expanding, and that, if we "run the film backwards," we ultimately arrive at a
moment when it began. That discovery resulted in the development of Big Bang
Theory, which is now the dominant view of the origin of the universe.
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle showed how it is possible for everything that
exists to emerge from a quantum fluctuation in the primordial vacuum that is
thought to have preceded the Big Bang. Theories of cosmic inflation developed by
Guth and Linde tells us that our "universe" is one of many, perhaps an infinite
number of, alternative "universes," each possessing its own physical constants
and perhaps obeying its own set of physical laws. Finally the development of
telescope and space technology has brought us breath-taking images and detailed
knowledge of a vast array of strange and beautiful cosmic inhabitants, such as
quasars, supernovas, stellar nurseries, intricate
planetary surfaces, and ancient galactic clusters. However, as our knowledge of
the universe expands, so does our sense
of its deeply mysterious character. As
a result, scientists have begun asking questions on the basis of
their research that have a long history in the reflections
of philosophers. Why does the universe
exist at all; in other words, why is there something rather than nothing? Is the
universe infinite in space and time, and if so, what is the nature of such
infinity? Is intelligent life a cosmic accident, or does the universe, in some
sense, want to
become
conscious of itself in us, or in other intelligent beings? Are we alone in the
cosmos, or do we share it with other civilizations, and what is the ultimate
significance of either of these conditions? Will the universe eventually end in
nothingness, in unending material but unintelligent existence, or in the
emergence of an eternal Mind or community of Minds? In this course, we will
pursue these deeply philosophical questions on the basis of the findings of
contemporary physical cosmology. In so doing, we will try to develop a creative
dialogue between science and philosophy, a dialogue in which neither adopts a
superior posture, but each realizes that it has something to learn from the
other. The course material will be challenging but not incomprehensible to any
student willing to put in the necessary time and effort.
All readings are contained on this CD and are linked to the syllabus. The readings are divided into two parts. The first part, "Cosmological Questions," specifies the broad topics that will guide our work. The readings linked to each of these topics are required. The second part, "Resource Material," includes links to scientific and philosophic papers and books that have been selected because they shed further light on the questions addressed in the course. While no specific readings are required from this section, each student must consult at least eight entries of his or her choice, and cite them in writing two ten-to-fifteen page papers on topics to be developed in discussions with the instructor. There will also be midterm and final exams.
Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing?
Guth: A Unverse in Your Backyard
Guth: The Inflationary Universe
Linde: Self-Reproducing Inflationary Cosmos
Knobe: Philosophical Implications of Inflation
Leslie: Cosmology and Theology
Craig: The Ultimate Question of Origins
Smith: Simplicity and Why the Universe Exists
Grunbaum: The Pseudo-Problem of Creation
Flew: Stephen Hawking and the Mind of God
Smolin: Theory of the Whole Cosmos
Is The Universe Infinte?
Platonic Realms: Infinity You Can't Get There From Here
Bruno: On the Infinite Universe and Worlds, Intro
Wright: How can the Universe be Infinite?
Was The Universe Waiting For Us?
Leslie: Prerequisites of Life in Our Universe
Dorrell: The Anthropic Principle
Smith: The Anthropic Principle and Many Worlds Cosmology
Stenger: Anthropic Coincidences
Are We Alone?
Nature and Origin of Life on Planetary Bodies
Barrow: Cosmology, Stars and Life
Michaud: Extraterrestrial Politics
Tipler: We Are Alone in Our Galaxy
Warrington: Extraterrestrial Life
The search for extraterrestrials is no longer such a far-out idea
NASA Scientist Sees Possible Mat of Martian Microbes
Does Consciousness Have A Future?
Artificial Intelligence [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]
Horst: The Computational Theory of Mind
Bostrom: How long before superintelligence
Bostrom: The Doomsday Argument is Alive and Kickingl
Greenberg: Apocalypse Not Just Now
How Will It All End?
Timescales in open, flat and very large closed universes
Recent Innovations about the Concept of "Universe"
Cosmic 'big crunch' could trigger an early demise of our universe
Bernal: The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
Famous Physicist Defends the Physics of OPT
Famous Theologian Defends the Theology of the OPT
Frank Tipler The Omega Point and Christianity
Barrow: Information Processing in Open Universes.
Krauss and Starkmann: Life, The Universe, and Nothing