HELGE S. KRAGH
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199209163
- eISBN:
- 9780191706219
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199209163.003.0005
- Subject:
- Physics, Particle Physics / Astrophysics / Cosmology
This chapter focuses on the emergence and development of the Big Bang theory of the universe, from the mid 1940s to the late 1970s. George Gamow, a main figure in this development, developed an early ...
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This chapter focuses on the emergence and development of the Big Bang theory of the universe, from the mid 1940s to the late 1970s. George Gamow, a main figure in this development, developed an early model of the exploding universe based on nuclear reactions, but his theory was ignored by most physicists and astronomers. Moreover, the theory and relativistic evolution cosmology in general, was challenged by an alternative research programme in the form of the steady-state theory. The situation only changed in the 1960s, mainly because of new observations, such as the discovery of the cosmic microwave background, that were seen as strong support of the ‘hot’ Big Bang theory. This theory quickly became a new paradigm of physical cosmology.Less
This chapter focuses on the emergence and development of the Big Bang theory of the universe, from the mid 1940s to the late 1970s. George Gamow, a main figure in this development, developed an early model of the exploding universe based on nuclear reactions, but his theory was ignored by most physicists and astronomers. Moreover, the theory and relativistic evolution cosmology in general, was challenged by an alternative research programme in the form of the steady-state theory. The situation only changed in the 1960s, mainly because of new observations, such as the discovery of the cosmic microwave background, that were seen as strong support of the ‘hot’ Big Bang theory. This theory quickly became a new paradigm of physical cosmology.
Louis A. Girifalco
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199228966
- eISBN:
- 9780191711183
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199228966.003.0020
- Subject:
- Physics, History of Physics
Radio astronomy, as first applied by Penzias and Wilson, showed that all space is permeated by a low level of radiation. This is left over from the big bang at the beginning of the universe and is a ...
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Radio astronomy, as first applied by Penzias and Wilson, showed that all space is permeated by a low level of radiation. This is left over from the big bang at the beginning of the universe and is a major factor in proving the validity of Big Bang theory. The existence of the cosmic background radiation, which is everywhere the same, raises the question of the possibility of using it to define an absolute space, and therefore negating relativity theory. It turns out that relativity is still valid because it deals with the relations between observable objects, and is correct regardless of the existence of a background radiation.Less
Radio astronomy, as first applied by Penzias and Wilson, showed that all space is permeated by a low level of radiation. This is left over from the big bang at the beginning of the universe and is a major factor in proving the validity of Big Bang theory. The existence of the cosmic background radiation, which is everywhere the same, raises the question of the possibility of using it to define an absolute space, and therefore negating relativity theory. It turns out that relativity is still valid because it deals with the relations between observable objects, and is correct regardless of the existence of a background radiation.
Quentin Smith
- Published in print:
- 1995
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198263838
- eISBN:
- 9780191682650
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198263838.003.0004
- Subject:
- Religion, Philosophy of Religion, Theology
This chapter argues that there is sufficient evidence at present to warrant the conclusion that the universe probably began to exist over 10 billion years ago and that it began to exist without being ...
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This chapter argues that there is sufficient evidence at present to warrant the conclusion that the universe probably began to exist over 10 billion years ago and that it began to exist without being caused to do so. It also provides counter-arguments to the propositions that the universe was caused by God and that the universe is probably infinitely old. It analyses quantum mechanical considerations and concludes that the argument for a divine cause of the Big Bang based on the causal principle is unsuccessful.Less
This chapter argues that there is sufficient evidence at present to warrant the conclusion that the universe probably began to exist over 10 billion years ago and that it began to exist without being caused to do so. It also provides counter-arguments to the propositions that the universe was caused by God and that the universe is probably infinitely old. It analyses quantum mechanical considerations and concludes that the argument for a divine cause of the Big Bang based on the causal principle is unsuccessful.
Herman Philipse
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199697533
- eISBN:
- 9780191738470
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199697533.003.0012
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Metaphysics/Epistemology
Inductive cosmological arguments are prima facie more promising for the natural theologian than deductive arguments, such as the Kalam cosmological argument, which is not sound. In the cosmological ...
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Inductive cosmological arguments are prima facie more promising for the natural theologian than deductive arguments, such as the Kalam cosmological argument, which is not sound. In the cosmological scenario of an infinitely old universe, however, there is no valid explanandum for the hypothesis of theism. The claim that theism might explain the infinite series of time-slices of the universe ‘as a whole’ is based upon a fallacy of ambiguity. There is no valid explanandum either for a synchronic cosmological argument. Finally, the argument from the Big Bang to God is problematic for a multitude of reasons. It cannot avoid the risk of God-of-the-gaps. It cannot satisfy the relevance condition, because the likelihood of the Big Bang singularity given theism is negligible (if it can be determined at all). Also, the prior probability of the Big Bang singularity cannot be small compared to that of God, for example (if it can be determined at all).Less
Inductive cosmological arguments are prima facie more promising for the natural theologian than deductive arguments, such as the Kalam cosmological argument, which is not sound. In the cosmological scenario of an infinitely old universe, however, there is no valid explanandum for the hypothesis of theism. The claim that theism might explain the infinite series of time-slices of the universe ‘as a whole’ is based upon a fallacy of ambiguity. There is no valid explanandum either for a synchronic cosmological argument. Finally, the argument from the Big Bang to God is problematic for a multitude of reasons. It cannot avoid the risk of God-of-the-gaps. It cannot satisfy the relevance condition, because the likelihood of the Big Bang singularity given theism is negligible (if it can be determined at all). Also, the prior probability of the Big Bang singularity cannot be small compared to that of God, for example (if it can be determined at all).
Mary-Jane Rubenstein
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231156622
- eISBN:
- 9780231527422
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231156622.003.0006
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Science
This chapter focuses on the development of the Big Bang theory and its impact on subsequent cosmological theories. The twentieth century began with the notion of a single, static, infinite world; but ...
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This chapter focuses on the development of the Big Bang theory and its impact on subsequent cosmological theories. The twentieth century began with the notion of a single, static, infinite world; but this theory was largely dismantled by Edward Hubble’s discovery of spiral nebulae that turned out to be galaxies in their own right, refuting the singular cosmos theory. It was not long before Hubble observed that the universe is expanding. The possibility of an expanding universe originated from Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, although he was initially convinced that the universe remained constant. Georges Lemaitre, on the other hand, concluded that the universe appeared to have burst from a tiny ball of nuclear fluid he called the “Primeval Atom.” Thus began the conception of the Big Bang as the beginning of the universe, and the Big Crunch as its possible ending fate. Other alternative theories include the Big Whimper, the ekpyrotic scenario, and the string theory.Less
This chapter focuses on the development of the Big Bang theory and its impact on subsequent cosmological theories. The twentieth century began with the notion of a single, static, infinite world; but this theory was largely dismantled by Edward Hubble’s discovery of spiral nebulae that turned out to be galaxies in their own right, refuting the singular cosmos theory. It was not long before Hubble observed that the universe is expanding. The possibility of an expanding universe originated from Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, although he was initially convinced that the universe remained constant. Georges Lemaitre, on the other hand, concluded that the universe appeared to have burst from a tiny ball of nuclear fluid he called the “Primeval Atom.” Thus began the conception of the Big Bang as the beginning of the universe, and the Big Crunch as its possible ending fate. Other alternative theories include the Big Whimper, the ekpyrotic scenario, and the string theory.
Herman Philipse
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199697533
- eISBN:
- 9780191738470
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199697533.003.0010
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Metaphysics/Epistemology
Natural theologians who aim at confirming the theistic hypothesis by adducing empirical evidence are confronted by the dilemma of God-of-the-gaps. Either theism predicts no specific phenomena at all, ...
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Natural theologians who aim at confirming the theistic hypothesis by adducing empirical evidence are confronted by the dilemma of God-of-the-gaps. Either theism predicts no specific phenomena at all, or these phenomena may be accounted for in the future by superior scientific explanations, so that theism will be disconfirmed. A pessimistic induction concerning the history of science and natural theology will convince sophisticated natural theologians that they should avoid this risk of God-of-the-gaps. Richard Swinburne uses the following immunizing strategy: theism should purport to explain only phenomena that are either ‘too big’ or ‘too odd’ for science to explain. But this strategy fails with regard to miracles (too odd), as is argued by a detailed examination of the case of Christ’s bodily resurrection, and it is problematic with regard to instances of ‘too big’, such as fine-tuning, or the explanation of the universe as a whole.Less
Natural theologians who aim at confirming the theistic hypothesis by adducing empirical evidence are confronted by the dilemma of God-of-the-gaps. Either theism predicts no specific phenomena at all, or these phenomena may be accounted for in the future by superior scientific explanations, so that theism will be disconfirmed. A pessimistic induction concerning the history of science and natural theology will convince sophisticated natural theologians that they should avoid this risk of God-of-the-gaps. Richard Swinburne uses the following immunizing strategy: theism should purport to explain only phenomena that are either ‘too big’ or ‘too odd’ for science to explain. But this strategy fails with regard to miracles (too odd), as is argued by a detailed examination of the case of Christ’s bodily resurrection, and it is problematic with regard to instances of ‘too big’, such as fine-tuning, or the explanation of the universe as a whole.
Monika Bednarek
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780190629489
- eISBN:
- 9780190629519
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190629489.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This chapter examines processes whereby both international media conglomerates and transnational fans (re)circulate television series, whether for commercial gain or the negotiation of identity and ...
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This chapter examines processes whereby both international media conglomerates and transnational fans (re)circulate television series, whether for commercial gain or the negotiation of identity and community membership. The chapter discusses four key processes of (re)circulation, (1) (re)circulation of the narrative, (2) (re)circulation of the dialogue, (3) (re)circulation of the production, and (4) performative (re)circulation, illustrating them with examples drawn mainly from The Big Bang Theory. It argues that such processes can be associated with different styles of fandom, and that there are both similarities and differences between T-shirt texts and social media texts, for instance in terms of their potential for style and styling.Less
This chapter examines processes whereby both international media conglomerates and transnational fans (re)circulate television series, whether for commercial gain or the negotiation of identity and community membership. The chapter discusses four key processes of (re)circulation, (1) (re)circulation of the narrative, (2) (re)circulation of the dialogue, (3) (re)circulation of the production, and (4) performative (re)circulation, illustrating them with examples drawn mainly from The Big Bang Theory. It argues that such processes can be associated with different styles of fandom, and that there are both similarities and differences between T-shirt texts and social media texts, for instance in terms of their potential for style and styling.
Clive Marsh
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- November 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198811015
- eISBN:
- 9780191848056
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198811015.003.0006
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter scrutinizes the many ways in which positive psychology contributes to therapeutic understandings of salvation. Building on attention to the way in which the work of Martin Seligman has ...
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This chapter scrutinizes the many ways in which positive psychology contributes to therapeutic understandings of salvation. Building on attention to the way in which the work of Martin Seligman has influenced approaches to happiness and forms of counselling, the chapter examines two Christian examples (one Protestant—Joel Osteen, one Roman Catholic—Christopher Kaczor) of positive psychology’s influence on Christian practice and critically explores the appropriateness of such use. It then explores a second example of positive mood through examining how television comedy is received and used as a contribution to fostering well-being. Using The Big Bang Theory, the chapter notes how religion appears as a marginal but meaningful element within the series, and examines the significance of the main thrust of the series in both its content and reception.Less
This chapter scrutinizes the many ways in which positive psychology contributes to therapeutic understandings of salvation. Building on attention to the way in which the work of Martin Seligman has influenced approaches to happiness and forms of counselling, the chapter examines two Christian examples (one Protestant—Joel Osteen, one Roman Catholic—Christopher Kaczor) of positive psychology’s influence on Christian practice and critically explores the appropriateness of such use. It then explores a second example of positive mood through examining how television comedy is received and used as a contribution to fostering well-being. Using The Big Bang Theory, the chapter notes how religion appears as a marginal but meaningful element within the series, and examines the significance of the main thrust of the series in both its content and reception.
Jonathan L. Kvanvig (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199603213
- eISBN:
- 9780191725388
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199603213.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Metaphysics/Epistemology
This is the third volume of the Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion series. As with the first two volumes, these essays follow the tradition of providing a non-sectarian and non-partisan ...
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This is the third volume of the Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion series. As with the first two volumes, these essays follow the tradition of providing a non-sectarian and non-partisan snapshot of the subdiscipline of philosophy of religion. This subdiscipline has become an increasingly important one within philosophy over the last century, and especially over the past half century, having emerged as an identifiable subfield within this time frame along with other emerging subfields such as the philosophy of science and the philosophy of language. This volume continues the initial intention behind the series of attracting the best work from the premier philosophers of religion, as well as including top philosophers outside this area when their work and interests intersect with issues in philosophy of religion. This inclusive approach to the series provides an opportunity to mitigate some of the costs of greater specialization in our disciplines, while at the same time inviting greater interest in the work being done in the philosophy of religion. We thus present the third volume in this series, a volume containing contributions by an impressive group of philosophers on topics of central important to the philosophy of religion.Less
This is the third volume of the Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion series. As with the first two volumes, these essays follow the tradition of providing a non-sectarian and non-partisan snapshot of the subdiscipline of philosophy of religion. This subdiscipline has become an increasingly important one within philosophy over the last century, and especially over the past half century, having emerged as an identifiable subfield within this time frame along with other emerging subfields such as the philosophy of science and the philosophy of language. This volume continues the initial intention behind the series of attracting the best work from the premier philosophers of religion, as well as including top philosophers outside this area when their work and interests intersect with issues in philosophy of religion. This inclusive approach to the series provides an opportunity to mitigate some of the costs of greater specialization in our disciplines, while at the same time inviting greater interest in the work being done in the philosophy of religion. We thus present the third volume in this series, a volume containing contributions by an impressive group of philosophers on topics of central important to the philosophy of religion.
Herman Philipse
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199697533
- eISBN:
- 9780191738470
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199697533.003.0009
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Metaphysics/Epistemology
Theism can be a theory or existential hypothesis to be confirmed by empirical evidence only if it has some predictive power. Theists should (and do) prefer a purely logical definition of predictive ...
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Theism can be a theory or existential hypothesis to be confirmed by empirical evidence only if it has some predictive power. Theists should (and do) prefer a purely logical definition of predictive power, according to which a hypothesis h has predictive power with regard to evidence e iff the relevance condition P ( e | h & k ) 〉 P ( e | k ) is met. But theism can have predictive power in this sense with regard to existing evidence only if one can non-arbitrarily attribute creative intentions to God. The auxiliary hypotheses attributing these intentions should be independently justified. It is argued that Richard Swinburne’s solution to this problem of theism’s predictive power on the basis of his moral objectivism (or moral realism) fails, and that his attributions of creative intentions to God are anthropomorphic projections.Less
Theism can be a theory or existential hypothesis to be confirmed by empirical evidence only if it has some predictive power. Theists should (and do) prefer a purely logical definition of predictive power, according to which a hypothesis h has predictive power with regard to evidence e iff the relevance condition P ( e | h & k ) 〉 P ( e | k ) is met. But theism can have predictive power in this sense with regard to existing evidence only if one can non-arbitrarily attribute creative intentions to God. The auxiliary hypotheses attributing these intentions should be independently justified. It is argued that Richard Swinburne’s solution to this problem of theism’s predictive power on the basis of his moral objectivism (or moral realism) fails, and that his attributions of creative intentions to God are anthropomorphic projections.
Stephen Scully
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- September 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780190253967
- eISBN:
- 9780190253981
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190253967.003.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
The Introduction considers Hesiod’s Theogony in light of two modern creation stories. In the first instance, it compares it to the Big Bang theory; in the second to Freud’s “scientific myth” ...
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The Introduction considers Hesiod’s Theogony in light of two modern creation stories. In the first instance, it compares it to the Big Bang theory; in the second to Freud’s “scientific myth” Civilization and Its Discontents.Less
The Introduction considers Hesiod’s Theogony in light of two modern creation stories. In the first instance, it compares it to the Big Bang theory; in the second to Freud’s “scientific myth” Civilization and Its Discontents.
Judith Roof
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780816698578
- eISBN:
- 9781452954387
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Minnesota Press
- DOI:
- 10.5749/minnesota/9780816698578.003.0005
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Gender Studies
This chapter concentrates on social genders—the everyday regime of masculinity and femininity—as a regime produced through their quadratic inter-relation. Subject texts include Absolutely Fabulous, ...
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This chapter concentrates on social genders—the everyday regime of masculinity and femininity—as a regime produced through their quadratic inter-relation. Subject texts include Absolutely Fabulous, Bridesmaids, Sex and the City, Bond films, The Big Bang Theory, and "Bro-mance" films.Less
This chapter concentrates on social genders—the everyday regime of masculinity and femininity—as a regime produced through their quadratic inter-relation. Subject texts include Absolutely Fabulous, Bridesmaids, Sex and the City, Bond films, The Big Bang Theory, and "Bro-mance" films.
