Abstract
According to the Big Bang Theory, the cosmological singularity is that point in the history of the universe in which the entire universe is squeezed into at least one point of infinite density, infinite temperature, infinite curvature. It is the point where all the known laws of physics collapse and where even the Causal Principle becomes problematical. I undertake a philosophical analysis of this singularity, and raise the question of whether the term “the cosmological singularity” could ever denote. I then relate this analysis to the topic of the nature of scientific theories, specifically the realism/anti-realism debate in the philosophy of science.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cartwright, N. (1986) How the Laws of Physics Lie, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Einstein, A. (1923) The Principle of Relativity, Methuen, London.
Fine, A. (1984), ‘The Natural Ontological Attitude’ in Leplin, 1984.
Harrison, E. R. (1986) Cosmology: The Science of the Universe, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Hawking, S. W. (1966) ‘Singularities in the Universe’, Physical Review Letters 17, 444–445.
Hawking, S. W. (1988) A Brief History of Time, Bantam, New York.
Laudan, L. (1984), ‘A Confutation of Convergent Realism’ in Leplin, 1984.
Leplin, J. (ed.) (1984) Scientific Realism, University of California Press, Berkeley.
Maxwell, G. (1964) ‘The Ontological Status of Theoretical Terms’ in H. Feigl and G. Maxwell (eds.), Minnesota Studies in the Philosophy of Science, Vol. III, University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minn., pp. 3–14.
Munitz, M. (1988) Cosmic Understanding, Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Quine, W.V. (1961) ‘On What There Is’ in W. V. Quine, From a Logical Point of View, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass.
Russell, B. (1905) ‘On Denoting’, Mind, 14, 479–493.
Russell, B. (1959) ‘Mr. Strawson on Referring’ in B. Russell, My Philosophical Development, Chapter XVIII, Part I II, Methuen, London.
Smith, Q. (1988) ‘The Uncaused Beginning of the Universe’, Philosophy of Science, 55, 39–57.
Strawson, P. F. (1958) ‘On Referring’, Mind, 59, 235–246.
Trefil, J. (1983) The Moment of Creation, Macmillan, New York.
van Fraassen, B. C. (1985) The Scientific Image, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Weinberg, S. (1972) Gravitation and Cosmology: Principles and Applications of the General Theory of Relativity, John Wiley, New York.
Weinberg, S. (1988) The First Three Minutes, second edition, Basic Books, New York.
Wittgenstein, L. (1968) Philosophical Investigations, translated and edited by G. E. M. Anscombe, third edition, Macmillan, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1989 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Tang, P.C.L. (1989). The Ontological Status of the Cosmological Singularity. In: Kafatos, M. (eds) Bell’s Theorem, Quantum Theory and Conceptions of the Universe. Fundamental Theories of Physics, vol 37. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0849-4_33
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0849-4_33
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4058-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-0849-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive