The Cause of Existence

The Cause of Existence

The cause of existence can be determined by analyzing the truth value of the following two propositions:

1:   The existence of nothing is impossible.
2:   The existence of nothing is possible.

Analysis of Proposition 1:

If the existence of nothing is impossible, then existence is eternal, there being no alternative. While we can say that therefore existence is caused by nothing, it may instead be true that it is the threat of the existence of nothing that causes existence. This can be postulated as a physical law and explored for predictive qualities. For now, we are left with two possibilities:

1.1:   Existence is caused by nothing.
1.2:   Existence is caused by the threat of the existence of nothing.

Analysis of Proposition 2: 

If the existence of nothing is possible, we must analyze two further possibilities:

2.1:   The existence of nothing has not occurred in the past.
2.2:   The existence of nothing has occurred in the past.

Analysis of propositions 2.1 and 2.2:

• If the existence of nothing is possible but has not occurred in the past, then we are saying it is possible for it to occur in the future.
• In order for this to happen, existence would have to change to a form that forces the existence of nothing.
• We observe that after billions of years this has not occurred.
• If it is nevertheless possible, then we must assume that a sufficient amount of time is required for it to occur.
• However this scenario specifies that it has not occurred in the past and thus existence would be eternal in the past.
• We cannot postulate a span of time in the future that is greater than the span of time in the eternal past.
• Therefore if it is true that the existence of nothing is possible, then the span of time in the past is sufficient for it to have occurred at least once.
• Therefore, if the existence of nothing is possible then it has occurred at least once in the past.
• Proposition 2.1 is thus seen to be a false proposition.
• Because we observe existence, we must conclude in this scenario that existence has been caused by a prior existence of nothing, there being no alternative.

Summary:

Thus, we have emerged with three possibilities in regard to the cause of existence:

1.   Existence is caused by nothing.
2.   Existence is caused by the existence of nothing.
3.   Existence is caused by the threat of the existence of nothing.

In all scenarios we have a complete and sufficient explanation for existence.