Posted by Lynn on January 01, 1997 at 12:36:25:
In Reply to: Re: late entry into Lynn and Stephen's conversation posted by Tyler on December 30, 1996 at 13:17:29:
:
: : I'd like to make a late entry into the conversation
: : between Lynn and Stephen regarding the origins of the
: : universe and evolution. Lynn asked several times for
: : an explanation of how an orderly universe could arise
: : from the chaos after the big bang. True, a universe
: : full of aimless particles and lawless energy would never
: : produce order "of itself." But the gases and energy of
: : the early universe had to answer to the laws of physics.
: : Cosmologists don't know exactly how gravity and
: : quantum mechanics formed the stars and the planets
: : and the pulsars -- but none doubts that it happened.
:
: Hello again Chris, and welcome to a magificent site! I've learned much here.
: I must have missed the exchange, but I guess I'd like to ask for a definition of "orderly". Is there a universal sense in which to use this word, or is it a perception? The view from physics is that the idea of order arises from the state of lowest potential energy. If the universe is indeed cyclic, waxing and waning through implosion and explosion, then I have to argue that we are continuing into disorder as the universe expands (but you'll have to accept that well-evidenced axiom first). This is in accordance with the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics; the universe as a whole is experiencing a continuously decreasing energy density. As a finite and static quantity of energy spreads into the larger and larger volume, the higher and higher entropy becomes............ from the perspective of science.
I suppose by "orderly", I am referring to things like the revolving of the planets, the fact that you can use the stars and such to tell time, months, days, etc., the complexity of DNA, mathematics, a leaf, you name it. We have not even begun to comprehend the awesomeness of creation. If the universe is "experiencing a continuously decreasing energy density" it is because it is aging. The Bible says it will "wear out and be rolled up like and old garment".