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Flo's Reviews > Brief Answers to the Big Questions
Brief Answers to the Big Questions
by
Catechist, atheist, agnostic; I've been there. So naturally, my main interest in this book is that haunting question regarding the existence of a god, the creation of things. I had faith, I don't know where it went; perhaps a part of it went with the books I've read that made it impossible for me to absorb some notions without questioning them. I told a priest once and he looked at me as if I were selling drugs and tickets to strip clubs at school, not without expressing how presumptuous human beings are for wanting to know everything. A similar reaction is mentioned in this book.
Needless remarks aside, a feeble faith tinged with fear - whereas it represents some obvious disadvantages - keeps the mind open. What do you have? The laws of nature or a self-existent and eternal being that created time and space. The complete absence of destiny or someone to blame for lousy decisions. The serenity of dust or the afterlife - on whichever side you get, because you believe or you don't. There is no wager here. There's a chance that an omniscient designer is going to notice that you're believing "just in case". I prefer the afterlife Hawking describes: wishful thinking.
This scientist, key factor in singularities and father of Hawking Radiation, is also the master of analogies. The content of this book is a pedagogic challenge and yet, he makes it approachable. Some ideas and quotes appear more than once throughout the book (those already familiar with Hawking's work may be less enthusiastic about this) but I didn't mind; more resources for me to retain rather complex processes, while there's still light.
Some of the Big Questions and one-sentence quotes:
Is there a God?
How did it all begin?
Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
What is inside a black hole?
Is time travel possible?
How do we shape the future?
The book includes comments of those who knew Hawking: teacher, mentor and friend.
Oct 27, 18
* Also on
** Photo credit: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss
by
A few years ago, The Times newspaper ran a headline on the front page which said 'Hawking: God Did Not Create Universe'. The article was illustrated. God was shown in a drawing by Michelangelo, looking thunderous. They printed a photo of me, looking smug. They made it look like a duel between us. But I don't have a grudge against God. I do not want to give the impression that my work is about proving or disproving the existence of God. My work is about finding a rational framework to understand the universe around us.
Catechist, atheist, agnostic; I've been there. So naturally, my main interest in this book is that haunting question regarding the existence of a god, the creation of things. I had faith, I don't know where it went; perhaps a part of it went with the books I've read that made it impossible for me to absorb some notions without questioning them. I told a priest once and he looked at me as if I were selling drugs and tickets to strip clubs at school, not without expressing how presumptuous human beings are for wanting to know everything. A similar reaction is mentioned in this book.
Needless remarks aside, a feeble faith tinged with fear - whereas it represents some obvious disadvantages - keeps the mind open. What do you have? The laws of nature or a self-existent and eternal being that created time and space. The complete absence of destiny or someone to blame for lousy decisions. The serenity of dust or the afterlife - on whichever side you get, because you believe or you don't. There is no wager here. There's a chance that an omniscient designer is going to notice that you're believing "just in case". I prefer the afterlife Hawking describes: wishful thinking.
This scientist, key factor in singularities and father of Hawking Radiation, is also the master of analogies. The content of this book is a pedagogic challenge and yet, he makes it approachable. Some ideas and quotes appear more than once throughout the book (those already familiar with Hawking's work may be less enthusiastic about this) but I didn't mind; more resources for me to retain rather complex processes, while there's still light.
Some of the Big Questions and one-sentence quotes:
Is there a God?
If you accept, as I do, that the laws of nature are fixed, then it doesn't take long to ask: what role is there for God?
How did it all begin?
We are the product of quantum fluctuations in the very early universe.
Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
I shall take this [intelligent life] to include the human race, even though much of its behaviour throughout history has been pretty stupid and not calculated to aid survival of the species.
What is inside a black hole?
Black holes are stranger than anything dreamed up by science-fiction writers, but they are firmly matters of science fact.
Is time travel possible?
There was a young lady of Wight
Who travelled much faster than light
She departed one day
In a relative way
And arrived on the previous night.
How do we shape the future?
If you know how something works, you can control it.
The book includes comments of those who knew Hawking: teacher, mentor and friend.
Oct 27, 18
* Also on
** Photo credit: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss
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Reading Progress
October 15, 2018
–
Started Reading
October 15, 2018
– Shelved
October 16, 2018
–
21.0%
"The universe is like an enormous battery storing negative energy. The positive side of things � the mass and energy we see today � is like the hill. The corresponding hole, or negative side of things, is spread throughout space.
So what does this mean in our quest to find out if there is a God? It means that if the universe adds up to nothing, then you don't need a God to create it."
So what does this mean in our quest to find out if there is a God? It means that if the universe adds up to nothing, then you don't need a God to create it."
October 20, 2018
–
56.0%
"If it were a stellar mass black hole, you would be made into spaghetti before reaching the horizon. On the other hand, if it were a supermassive black hole, you would cross the horizon with ease, but be crushed out of existence at the singularity.
[But
]"
[But
]"
October 27, 2018
–
Finished Reading
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Fede wrote: "You're welcome. ;)"I reread this afterwards. I removed some of the quotes in order to, you know, avoid spoiling the whole thing!
Alejandro wrote: "Great review from a great book!"Really glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your kind words, Alejandro. :)
Nice balanced review as ever, Florencia! Quite aptly you've put the choices we have to choose from- our 'faith' or 'scientific theories'- as scientific as we call those but are they really scientific, aren't they are part of a 'neo-theology' one which is drawn out by physicists or scientists, for you have to believe in the assumptions of the theories first. I am personally interested in quantum physics- string theory, wormhole, multiverse and other aspects which have come in to existence through quantum physics. But right now we have mainly theories -which may be proved true over the time. I think this interesting tussle between rationality and faith has been keep on for centuries; however one is quintessential that one has first believe in some thing new to replace something which may have become faith or tradition over the years. As far as the question of 'God' concerned, I think that the concept of 'God' is an existential requirement of humankind and not something which has existence of its own (I understand that it may be a closed-minded approach but I do not really see strong reasons to believe otherwise). Some of the recent developments in psychology have suggested that our consciousness may communicate with that of others and that is how concept of super-consciousness has come into existence. Hence, some of the 'pacifists' comparing it with the concept of 'God' and saying that super-consciousness of the universe is something which keeps on moving and is indifferent to time, but again these are just theories.
Moreover, I think that this era could be of unification of science and theology since as we are going to quantum level I think we are making accordance with basic teachings of most of the religions or theology in general.
Gaurav wrote: "Nice balanced review as ever, Florencia! Quite aptly you've put the choices we have to choose from- our 'faith' or 'scientific theories'- as scientific as we call those but are they really scientif..."The debate regarding rationality and faith is one of the oldest, no doubt, and it's compounded by different issues. For months in Argentina we've been discussing an abortion law proposed by feminist activism. All scientific evidence gets lost amid beliefs, condemning women to death. The bill didn't pass, of course, but the prospect of legalization is not unthinkable anymore.
I recently interviewed a writer who said that the concept of god is one of the most wonderful creations of humankind because, by following ten steps, without the responsibility of making our own choices, we get a happy ending. Not to mention the time we would save investigating and questioning because a world created by a god is easier to explain. There are a lot of things I don't think I'll be able to accept because an amount of faith is needed, but I also have the feeling that not everything can be explained logically. And that's a frightening thought as well. I'd like a (happy) ending on earth, nothing more.
Thanks so much for reading and leaving a truly insightful comment!
Florencia wrote: "Gaurav wrote: "Nice balanced review as ever, Florencia! Quite aptly you've put the choices we have to choose from- our 'faith' or 'scientific theories'- as scientific as we call those but are they ..."Pleasure is mine to have discussions, Florencia! The incident about abortion law you have quoted underlines our limited of ourselves or nature in general and this in not only in Argentina but in many countries across the world. The acts reaffirms the fact even are so may years of civilization we fail to understand survival instinct must be superior to any other ones. And first and foremost its about sexual and reproductive choices of women and ironically they have been denied it so how can we call ourselves as progressive if we fail to understand the basic things.
I think, off late, there is an upsurge in right wing thinking across the major countries of the world and these right wing followers may go any length for their 'beliefs' although most of the times these beliefs may be hollow and baseless. So in way we are going backwards and recent developments over global political and social scenario asserts it.
I too believe on similar lines that 'God' is one of the best creations by humankind since it provides you a kind of solace that someone is there who is looking after us, someone is there whom we may put responsibility for our acts. But, I feel that perhaps that is an inauthentic existence since we are taking responsibility for our acts/ deeds. I agree that everything may not explained logically and faith is psychological requirement to follow anything but 'bad faith' may take us further away from reality. I personally feel that one should strive to explore as much as we could (and that's my personal view, not to offend anyone :P) no matter how frightening it may be, since it may be self-deceiving. Here, I have bombarded you again with a long paragraph- habit always wins over- sorry for that :P
Great review! Hope to read the book soon..
Gaurav wrote: "Florencia wrote: "Gaurav wrote: "Nice balanced review as ever, Florencia! Quite aptly you've put the choices we have to choose from- our 'faith' or 'scientific theories'- as scientific as we call t..."Your thoughts are always a pleasure to read, Gaurav. I find your comments utterly insightful and rewarding, so please don't apologize for long paragraphs. :)
Like you, I see the same upsurge in right wing in different parts of the world; rather alarming.
Bharath wrote: "Great review! Hope to read the book soon.."Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book.
I already read this book it's an amazing book. I loved this book�
Najia wrote: "I already read this book it's an amazing book. I loved this book�"Me too. :)
Great insight on the book !!
Rue wrote: "Great insight on the book !!"Thank you for reading and commenting!
First there was nothing, only a void , then there was this huge enormous explosion and instantaneously the universe and everything within it came into being...OR ....God created the heavens and the earth. One is just as mystical as the other. Who or what caused this "big bang" out of nothing? And why did it take God six days, followed by a day of rest to create it all when it can be made so instantly with one big bang? It leaves so much to ponder, for instance, where is Mr. Hawking now? Is he in heaven, or hell? Or is he just dust now?
I like Khurram's review as well as Gaurav's. This is one book that this old cowboy has yet to finish, but reviews like this put it in the shoot and right to the gate.
It is great to see a discussion carried on with respect for different points of view.
Science deals with many issues (to some are "themes" or "topics", to me they're "issues"!) I'm interested in, especially when it comes to religion. And Hawking's writing is really engaging; I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for your comment. :)