Tags
In later years of Einstein’s life he decided that the evolution of three-dimensional existence is flawed, and that in actuality we exist in a four-dimensional universe. When Einstein’s lifelong friend Besso died he wrote a letter to Besso’s family stating that even though Besso had died before him it did not matter because “…for us physicists believe the separation between past, present, and future is only an illusion, although a convincing one.”
One of the most difficult issues of modern physics is the means to which we can combine Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and Quantum Theory, both of which have been proven to govern this vast expanse we inhabit. Closest we have come to understanding how these two theories imply that time is merely a direction through space is the theory developed by Stephen Hawking and Jim Hartle known as the No Boundary Proposal. The theory essentially introduces a 2nd reference of time known asĀ Imaginary Time. The following quote sums up the implications of the No Boundary Proposal, “the universe would be completely self contained and not affected by anything outside itself. It would neither be created no destroyed. It would just BE.”
This concept absolutely fascinates me. This class has further opened my eyes to the complexities of this universe. I most definitely learned much about our world, but what I learned most evidently was that we know so very little.
Hawking’s theory offers me a glimpse into a plausible and beautiful convergence of science and God. Time will tell.
Posted by waldentb | Filed under Relativity, Science, Time, Universe