The Necessity of Existence and the Transcendence of Cause

Welcome to Wittgenstein's Wacky World of the Bewitchment of Language! This fascinating exploration delves into the realms of existence and the contingent world. From the very essence of being to the origins of the universe itself, we will uncover the intricacies of necessary existence and its transcendent implications.

Existence: A Fundamental Concept

First, let us dissect the verb "exist." Since its inception in the mid-17th century from the French exister, and ultimately from Latin existere/exsistere, the concept of existence has intertwined with our understanding of the universe. To exist is not merely to be present; it is to step out, stand forth, and emerge from the Great Sea of Being. This intrinsic quality is the sine qua non of everything that exists.

Necessity and Contingency

In philosophical discourse, a necessary being is one that must have existed to give rise to the contingent world. This is a critical distinction. While our Earth may seem contingent on the universe, it is essential to consider the universe as a whole and the physical laws that govern its operation. Whether these laws and the universe itself have always existed, or if they emerged from a different state, such as the Big Bang, remains a mystery. However, it is important to note that speculative claims about the nature of existence must be rigorously confronted with empirical evidence and logical coherence.

The Transcendence of Cause

The cause of the contingent world is necessarily transcendental. This means that it exists beyond the realms of mass, energy, space, and time. To understand why, we must first address the logical incoherence of assuming that mass and energy create themselves. The Laws of Thermodynamics dictate that matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed; they can only be transformed. Thus, the assumption that mass and energy create mass and energy is not a valid argument, and it would necessitate abandoning fundamental scientific principles.

The concept of the Big Bang further underscores the necessity of a transcendent cause. According to Hubble's Law and subsequent scientific data, the creation of mass and energy began approximately 14.7 billion years ago. This means that the cause of mass and energy existed before the Big Bang, and it was not itself mass or energy. Therefore, the cause transcends the boundaries of mass, energy, space, and time.

Logical Coherence and Philosophical Argumentation

It is crucial to remember that philosophical debates must be grounded in logical coherence. Assumptions and assertions, while essential, must be rigorously tested for their validity. One cannot simply assert that something exists and then craft arguments based on that assumption. Such assertions must be logically consistent and supported by empirical evidence. In this context, the concept of a necessary existence serves as a fundamental cornerstone, but it must be carefully examined for its implications.

Conclusion

The exploration of necessary existence and the transcendent cause of the universe is a profound and complex philosophical endeavor. It challenges us to rethink our understanding of existence, the nature of the universe, and the limits of our logical and empirical knowledge. By examining the logical incoherencies and necessary conditions, we can approach these questions with greater clarity and rigor.