Does the universe really exist?
597634
Well, you're asking a question that has plague man since we looked up upon the stars and wondered who we are, where we come from, and what is out there?\n\nFirst of all, you're confusing some of the concepts that you've heard. Let's address your questions one at a time:\n\n(1) It is true that as we learn more about the Universe, we're discovering that the world is NOT as it superfically appears to be. A good example is that we used to think the Earth is flat, or that the Sun rotated about the Earth. These are superficially obseravable phenomenons, but the truth is very different. So now we're finding out many more new facts about the Universe that defies our imagination. For example, it turns out that the matter that we can observe through our telescopes, the stars, galaxies, etc. makes up only about 1% of what's out there in the universe, and we currently have no idea really what makes up the rest. We just call them dark matter and dark energy.\n\n(2) The Anthroptic Principle is basically saying that given all that we know about the universe, it can't be just  coincidence that it is capable of supporting life and particularly intelligent life like us. So the principle is suggesting that there must be some Agent (supernatual or otherwise), a designer, behind the contruction of the universe. Whether you believe this or not is up to you.\n\n(3) Here you should not pay too much attention. It is true that Quantum Mechanics (a branch of physics that tells us how microscopic elementary particles behave) saids that the outcome of an event depends both on the Observered and the Observer (hence the term "participatory universe"). But these rules only apply to electrons and photons, not people, stars and the universe. At least we currently don't have any evidence that it does. Also, I think all this is really more of a philosophical position than scientific fact.\n\n(4) I can't tell you whether the universe really exists or not. You will have decide that for yourself. But just remember, before you decide to jump off a building, make sure you are absolutely certain that you won't be falling down and breaking your legs.
802836
do we really know if hell exists?
1158544
This "nothing" is what we perceive without the laws of physics. Our universe is limited by the knowledge we have about it. Recent theories (the "M" theory) suggest that endless universes exist, and sometimes they even collide one into other. Probably, out there, beyond the boundaries of 12 billions light years, others dimensions, other plan of existence exist.
10073
The size of the universe in terms of length, width, height, time is in a state of flux. At any instant it may be expanding or contracting. The universe is generally accepted to be currently expanding. \n\nM Theory (the conglomeration of the 5 superstring theories) tells us that the universe is the result of, so called, “membranes” colliding in such a way that create a pocket of space which we call the universe. If M Theory is accurate, it is probable that there are many universes just as there are many planets, solar systems, and galaxies. \n\nFor more information:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M_theory
215635
The thing is ... a parrallel universe may exist. We cannot prove it one way or another ......YET! :) How do we know that another universe and our universe and many other universes .... do not exist in a metaverse? And if so .... maybe something like distance etc. exists in that metaverse ... which imparts some of it's qualities to our own universe and indeed to any other universe within that metaverse. Hence ..... we may not even have a void outside our universe at all.
760374
Scientists say it is expanding. If true, that would mean that the universe is not infinite. It also suggests a beginning.\n\nGood question. Reminds me of my childhood imagination. I imagined a brick wall at the very edge of the universe. Then, however, I wondered what was on the other side of that brick wall.\n\nI wonder what the scientists are saying about it? I bet they don't know either.
1137921
If there was just nothing, we would never know what could happen because we wouldnt exist.\nI believe there is more out there in the universe than what we know of.\nWether we discover these things or not is hard to ever say.
312883
Yes.\n\nThere is so much of this universe that we do not know.
187862
I believe the universe is part of something much bigger.  There are many unknowns and anomalies that scientist having problems with.  Galaxies moving in and others move out.  Blue stars beyond the known universe.  \n\nThe bible says that the universe is a tent for God to dwell in.  That indicates certain things.  It is inside something, and is a temporary shelter.  It also says that in certain areas are chambers.  \n\nThere is much yet to discover.
956138
Yes, you are the creator of your universe. For you those aspects of the Universe do not exist unless your mind is fed with such data by your conscious and unconscious efforts. In a way, everyone of us is the creatore of his world.
731954
I certainly can't claim you exist.  Your question could be entirely computer-generated, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.  \n\nA lot of people have similar thoughts, though - how do we know we exist?  How do we know that reality exists?  We don't, but "reality" is the only constant we know, so we go on faith.  \n\nOne could also argue that if you exist in thought, then you exist period.  I've heard it argued that belief in God is enough to cause God to exist.  We could go on all day like this, but - yep, you exist.  You've convinced everyone here that you do, so you must.
869413
There is no proof that our universe is, was or will be the only universe.  The nature of reality is that we can only study and observe what is in our universe, so we will never know because there is no way to find out.
1062311
If nothing exist, It must be outside our own Universe where there is no time, matter, energy nor space. Just 'nothing' which cannot be comprehended. \n\nHow can you comprehend nothing if nothing is existed?\nThere is nothing to be comprehended afterall.\nYou better stop thinking nothing and start thinking something.
1113632
What is beyond the borders of the universe?\nIs it truly possible for the universe to go on forever? If there is an end, what’s on the other side?\n \nBefore we can address these questions, we must first define universe.  The word universe denotes all space and everything (matter, energy) contained within it.  The prefix uni means one.  The root verse means word, turn, or whole.  Thus our universe has traditionally been thought to be the one whole of all substance or matter.  Questions regarding our universe persist today.  Does it have a beginning and end, or does it go on forever and ever?  Is it linear or curved?  If it has limits of length or curvature, then what lies beyond the Universe?  If something lies beyond the Universe, then can’t we accurately call that the Universe?\n\nSome lay people and some scientists conceive of the universe as infinite space.  Others define the universe as finite, or limited (perhaps curved), space.  Still others incorporate the elements of matter and/or energy into their definition of the universe, as opposed to the space beyond matter and energy.\n\nGiven these concepts of our universe, some scientists conclude that the “totality of space could be infinite. Shrink an infinite space by an arbitrary amount, and it is still infinite. (Scientific American March 2005).”  \n\nAs to the notion that we live in an ever expanding universe, moving away from every other universe on the fabric of space-time, some scientists are careful to point out that “Andromeda, our nearest large galactic neighbor, is actually moving toward us, not away. Such exceptions arise because Hubble's law describes only the average behavior of galaxies (Scientific American March 2005).”\n\nIn accordance with your supposition that our universe is in another universe, “it has been hypothesized by some scientists that the universe may be part of a system of many other universes, known as the multiverse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe).” Modern astrophysicists talk about multiple "pocket" universes that branch off from one another.  Stephen Hawking points out that parallel pocket universes can have no effect on a real observer inside a single pocket, so, according to Hawking, they are theoretical baggage that should be eliminated from cosmology, the study of the origins of the universe.\n\nSome string theories define the universe as a three-dimensional space in an invisible space having more dimensions. This is, in essence, a universe within a universe.  Our zone, a “braneworld” could periodically bounce into another parallel braneworld.  This may create what would appear as a Big Bang from one perspective or a Big Bounce of alternating expanding and contracting universe from another perspective.  Such a cataclysmic event is thought to occur 300 billion years from now, resulting in the rearranging and creation of a new universe.\n\nBeyond the borders of the universe, there are other universes moving through a multiverse.  While scientists do not commonly believe that our universe goes on for an unlimited distance, despite its present expansion, they allow for the possibility that the multiverse may go on forever.  If there is an end to our universe, what’s on the other side is called the multiverse.  If there is an end to the multiverse, another term may need to be coined to describe what lay people commonly refer to as infinite space.\n\nSteve\n:-D
55707
You get into Quantum Theory with your intrigue and there is no evidence to support that the universe is not infinate.\n\nHOWEVER, according to the Big Bang theory there was nothing and then there was something in a centralized location millions (billions) of years ago. At the speed that the universe is spreading outwards there has to be an end to it and scientists are trying to get telescopes powerful enough to see to the beginning of time.\n\nWhat lays on the other side? Nobody knows.
313515
The universe and space aren't the same thing. The universe was CREATED in space. Before the creation of the universe, it was just space. The universe now occupies space, and yes the universe is not infinite and according to scientists, the Big Crunch theory is the end of the our universe. However, space will still exist because the universe and space aren't the same thing.
333639
What if you were told....there is more then one??? This is TRUTH. The Universe is Creator Source expressing itself in the vastness of ALL time and space....there are universes within universes....CREATOR cannot stop expanding....it is its nature.....so YES.....most definitely........ALL UNIVERSES are INFINITE!!!!! And WE are expanding with it!\nSLEEPERS.....AWAKE!!!!!!\nwww.fromthestars.com\nwww.operationterra.com \nwww.librarising.com\nwww.2012.com.au\nwww.goldennumber.net\nwww.survive2012.com\nwww.prisonplanet.com\nwww.evolutionoftruth.com