The question of whether or not it is possible for the universe (in the sense of everything that exists) to not exist often comes up in conversations having to do with contingency and necessity. If it is not possible for the universe to not exist, certain Cosmological Arguments lose strength (Ok I used three negatives there, but don’t go taking out the two “not’s”, because if you do you will lose the intended meaning). Since I think a very simple bit of logic can demonstrate that it is possible for the universe to not exist, we won’t go into the intricacies of those arguments right now. Instead, I will now demonstrate that it is possible for the universe to not exist, and whenever we come across such a cosmological question we will have a simple and accurate response!
Why it is possible for the universe to not exist:
- If God exists, it is possible for the universe to not exist (assuming God can decide whether or not to create something).
- Since it is possible for God to exist, it is possible for the universe to not exist.
Take note that I’m not saying that God exists- I’m just saying that it is possible for God to exist. Since it is possible for God to exist, it is possible that it is possible for the universe to not exist.
Stated another way:
Premise: If X is true, then it is possible that Y is true.
Conclusion: If it is possible for X to be true, then it is also possible for Y to be true.
This argument falls apart only if someone can demonstrate that it is impossible for God to exist. Many claim to have demonstrated that the existence of God is very very very unlikely, but those arguments do not apply in this case. Because none of those arguments make God’s existence impossible, it is possible for God to exist, and therefore it is possible for the universe to not exist.
I'm not exactly sure what you are trying to prove here. According to your logic this is true:
ReplyDeleteIf God doesn't exist, then is is possible that world exists like it does now.
If God does exist, then it is possible that the world does not exists like it does now.
I'm not sure how much logic you have had, but if you want to prove God's existence through logic I would look at Gödel's ontological proof.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! I'm not trying to prove or disprove God's existence in any way in this post.
This is all I'm getting at: Sometimes I wonder whether or not it is possible for nothing to exist as opposed to something.
I'm trying to prove that it is possible for the universe to not exist. That's all!
An interesting ramification of this line of reasoning is that if God can choose not to create anything, then he, by necessity, can exist and be who he is independent of anything or anyone.
ReplyDelete(Kind of puts Ps. 8 and our place in the universe, as well as the whole idea of salvation, into perspective.)
Oops, I forgot to qualify my statement: "...he, by necessity, can exists and be who he is independent of anything or anyone *in his creation*."
ReplyDeleteGood point! I hadn't thought of that theological ramification.
ReplyDelete