ASTRONOMY 9: HISTORY OF COSMOLOGY

Handout #1

J. E. Baker
UC Berkeley, Spring 2000

Religion without science is blind; science without religion is lame.
--Albert Einstein

Introduction

1.

What is Cosmology? Attempt to understand the whole universe: origin, evolution, fate (meaning, purpose). Intersection of science, philosophy, religion, ...

(a)

Physical cosmology (20th century)

Cosmology as branch of Physics (relativity, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, ...)
Understanding through physical law
Role of observational tests
- No controlled, repeatable, generalizable experiments!
- Astronomy
Cosmology is (ultimately) non-nomological!
- Unique among sciences
``Truth'' in science

(b)

Cosmology and Earth's cosmic place (pre-20th century)

i.

The Copernican Principle: Earth is not the center!

ii.

Medieval, walled-in, unchanging cosmos

Solar system astronomy: Sun, Moon, 5 planets, sphere of fixed stars
Earth (man) at center

(c)

Cosmology as a branch of Mathematics (ancient Greece)

Science as ``natural philosophy''
Observations irrelevant: world as an imperfect reflection of the Ideal
Only reason can grasp the Truth

(d)

Cosmology as myth (pre-scientific society)

Achieve meaning and understanding through mythical stories
Creation myths: the ultimate questions

2.

The Structure and Meaning of Cosmological Myth

(a)

Why study origin myths?

Answers encompass all logical possibilities
Very different language, but same answers!
Note: Science rediscovery of mythical stories
- Scientific method: testable hypotheses, predictive power
- Did God create the Universe at 9:00 am October 29, 4004 BC? Is this a scientific question?
Very influential!
- Genesis and the State of Kansas
- Principle of plentitude

(b)

What are origin myths?

Answer questions of value, meaning (what is our significance in the cosmos?)
Organize our understanding of the world, natural phenomena
Primary understanding of being
Meanings are culturally and temporally specific
Contradictory ideas sometimes coexist
Common themes, but divergent expressions
- Fingers pointing at the moon vs. the moon itself
Chicken or egg: Did ``something'' create ``everything''? What created ``something''? If ``nothing'' created ``everything'', implies the existence of its opposite.
Attempt to transcend polar oppositions, seek ultimate ground of being, that which is absolute and unconditional, but myths grounded in language/symbol (relative, dependent)
Express unknowable (in terms of known!)
What is ``beyond'' the physical world?

(c)

Structure of origin myths

Was there an ultimate beginning?

i.
Yes: what was its cause?

a.
``Positive'' being: Creator(s)
b.
``Negative'' being: from ``Nothing''
c.
Duality: order from ``Chaos''

ii.
No.

a.
Eternal universe
b.
Cyclic (rhythmic) universe
Evolution of the universe

i.
Progressive, ascending
ii.
Static, unchanging
iii.
Decaying, descending
Metaphors for creation

i.
Procreative (M/F deities, Earth goddess gives birth, cosmic egg, divine sex)
ii.
Struggle of dualities (divine warfare, order/chaos, good/evil)
iii.
``God the Organizer'': controlling chaos
iv.
``God the Thinker'': creation out of thought
v.
The Word: speech as metaphor
vi.
``God the Craftsman''
vii.
Acts of divine sacrifice
Common themes
i.
The Fall: loss of perfection and unifying Being, distinction of absolute/temporal
ii.
Speech and reproduction as creative acts
iii.
Perfect, unchanging heaven vs. impure Earth
- Thwarts efforts to return (Babel, Raven)
- Cosmological thought through Galileo!
iv.
Man of central importance

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jonathan baker
2000-01-24