06 Jul 10
Originally posted by twhiteheadYou think his knows about the Big Bang too, or are we still talking hypothesizing?
Its quite likely he did not claim to know but was hypothesizing. PinkFloyd did not give a link or quote so I don't have any context except vague memories of things I have read by Stephen Hawking.
Kelly
06 Jul 10
Originally posted by KellyJayI think the Big Bang is a Theory. ie we are pretty sure it happened and there is a fairly large amount of evidence for it. Of course the exact details might be a bit less clear.
You think his knows about the Big Bang too, or are we still talking hypothesizing?
Kelly
And yes, I call that 'knowing'.
07 Jul 10
Originally posted by twhiteheadYou believe the Big Bang occured and have little to no doubt it occured.
I think the Big Bang is a Theory. ie we are pretty sure it happened and there is a fairly large amount of evidence for it. Of course the exact details might be a bit less clear.
And yes, I call that 'knowing'.
Kelly
07 Jul 10
Originally posted by FabianFnasOh, I'd have to disagree there. I've read (and I know, "don't believe all you read"😉 that there are probably 20 or more astrophysicists that are more qualified and better in their field than Hawking--but he gets all the press, 'cuz he wrote bthat little book Brief History of Time (and because that computer-generated voice gives his words a Yoda-like quality of truth.😀
If he says he know, then he knows better than anyone else.
Few knows more than Stephen Hawking in these matters.
He has contributed greatly to our knowledge, I realize that. And I certainly believe a singularity took place that we call the Big Bang (maybe more than one over the eons); there's too much to support the postulation) for me not to believe it. I just happen to still believe God was behind it and, up to now, the scientific world has no answer to contraindicate mine.
07 Jul 10
Originally posted by PinkFloydIf he is among the twenty best in the world, I tend to believe that he knows what he's talking about.
Oh, I'd have to disagree there. I've read (and I know, "don't believe all you read"😉 that there are probably 20 or more astrophysicists that are more qualified and better in their field than Hawking--but he gets all the press, 'cuz he wrote bthat little book Brief History of Time (and because that computer-generated voice gives his words a Yoda-like quali ...[text shortened]... was behind it and, up to now, the scientific world has no answer to contraindicate mine.
Doesn't matter if he a good populizer, doesn't matter if he sit ina wheelchair, doesn't matter if he as a voice that resembles Youda's, he knows what he is talking about.
If I say that I know better than him, then I certanly doesn't know much at all.
07 Jul 10
Originally posted by PinkFloydSurely 20 constitutes a 'few'? So at least the second sentence you quoted is correct.
Oh, I'd have to disagree there. I've read (and I know, "don't believe all you read"😉 that there are probably 20 or more astrophysicists that are more qualified and better in their field than Hawking.
07 Jul 10
Originally posted by PinkFloydAnd you are welcome to that belief.
I just happen to still believe God was behind it and, up to now, the scientific world has no answer to contraindicate mine.
However, I think Hawking was saying that since the current makup of the universe is a result of the events during the big bang and not what came before, it doesn't really matter whether God was behind it. It wouldn't make any difference.
If he had an effect, it would be either in the formulation of the laws of physics (which are not a matter of history but rather brute facts from our point of view), or he interfered with the universe during its development.
I still don't see why what came before the big bang is so important to you. If you believe in a God, surely all his other attributes are more important to you than how and whether he created the universe? What difference would it make if the universes existence was just as much a brute fact as Gods existence?
07 Jul 10
Originally posted by twhiteheadMy desire to know what occurred before the BB is simple curiousity--it has nothing to do with my faith that God was there before, during and after however many BBs there have been or will be.
And you are welcome to that belief.
However, I think Hawking was saying that since the current makup of the universe is a result of the events during the big bang and not what came before, it doesn't really matter whether God was behind it. It wouldn't make any difference.
If he had an effect, it would be either in the formulation of the laws of physi ...[text shortened]... nce would it make if the universes existence was just as much a brute fact as Gods existence?
I'm with you about Hawking--if he says something about black holes, I tend to believe he knows whereof he speaks. When he starts chucking in quotes about God, however ("God not only plays dice with the universe, He throws them where no one can see them" is one I seem to remember), he's out of his league and it quickly becomes clear he should stick to lectureing astronomy.
07 Jul 10
Originally posted by PinkFloydIn the context of God throwing dice, neither Einstein nor Hawking were talking about the Christian God.
My desire to know what occurred before the BB is simple curiousity--it has nothing to do with my faith that God was there before, during and after however many BBs there have been or will be.
I'm with you about Hawking--if he says something about black holes, I tend to believe he knows whereof he speaks. When he starts chucking in quotes about God, howev ...[text shortened]... he's out of his league and it quickly becomes clear he should stick to lectureing astronomy.
08 Jul 10
Originally posted by KazetNagorraI don't think that changes the meaning they were trying to put forth. What they said came across loud and clear, whether or not they chose to define the "God" in their statements.
In the context of God throwing dice, neither Einstein nor Hawking were talking about the Christian God.
08 Jul 10
Originally posted by twhiteheadAs one of the few sensible, unblocked posters remaining on this thread, what is your opinion on Hawking's comments about God? I agree everyone has the right of free speech, but isn't it normal to doubt his words when he's speaking outside his field of expertise?
And you are welcome to that belief.
However, I think Hawking was saying that since the current makup of the universe is a result of the events during the big bang and not what came before, it doesn't really matter whether God was behind it. It wouldn't make any difference.
If he had an effect, it would be either in the formulation of the laws of physi ...[text shortened]... nce would it make if the universes existence was just as much a brute fact as Gods existence?
09 Jul 10
Originally posted by PinkFloydYet you called it the most important question ever. Surely that is a bit more than mere curiosity?
My desire to know what occurred before the BB is simple curiousity--it has nothing to do with my faith that God was there before, during and after however many BBs there have been or will be.
I'm with you about Hawking--if he says something about black holes, I tend to believe he knows whereof he speaks. When he starts chucking in quotes about God, however ("God not only plays dice with the universe, He throws them where no one can see them" is one I seem to remember), he's out of his league and it quickly becomes clear he should stick to lectureing astronomy.
Maybe you just misunderstand him.
09 Jul 10
Originally posted by twhiteheadOr maybe it was hyperbole. On "The most important question ever" list, I would put it in the tp 5, but not number 1. 🙂
Yet you called it the most important question ever. Surely that is a bit more than mere curiosity?
[b]I'm with you about Hawking--if he says something about black holes, I tend to believe he knows whereof he speaks. When he starts chucking in quotes about God, however ("God not only plays dice with the universe, He throws them where no one can see the ...[text shortened]... ecomes clear he should stick to lectureing astronomy.
Maybe you just misunderstand him.[/b]