Posted: Apr 03, 2011 3:24 pm
pfrankinstein wrote:do we all agree that the Big Bang represents the single beginning of our Universe?
It depends what you mean by "universe". Two different definitions for the word are in common use today, with different people insisting that each definition is correct, leading to confusion. This confusion over meanings can make it a dangerous word to be involved with when people are being asked for philosophical commitments.
If by "universe" you mean "our local expansion of space-time" then yes: most people here will accept that the big bang represents the single beginning of our universe.
If by "universe" you mean "everything" then that will be much more controversial, and some people will not accept that the big bang represents the single beginning of the universe - or at least not be sure that it does. I would be one of them.
I have a question, pfrankinstein, and I think it is important to this discussion. Could you say exactly what you regard the word "evolution" as meaning, in the context in which it is being used by you, here?