There ought to be something very special about the boundary conditions of the universe and what can be more special than that there is no boundary?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hawking suggests the most unique feature of the universe is having no boundary at all.
- In plain terms
- The universe is special because it has no edge or boundary.
- What can you take from it?
- Consider the possibility that reality has no limits.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What lies outside the universe?
- Can existence have edges?
Another view
It simplifies complex geometric constraints.
More from Stephen Hawking
Many people would claim that the boundary conditions are not part of physics but belong to metaphysics or religion. They would claim that nature had complete f…
Permalink to quote #1 What I have done is to show that it is possible for the way the universe began to be determined by the laws of science. In that case, it would not be necessary…
Permalink to quote #3 We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
One could say: 'The boundary condition of the universe is that it has no boundary.' The universe would be completely self-contained and not affected by anythin…
Stephen HawkingStephen Hawking quote #31 There are the rushing waves... mountains of molecules, each stupidly minding its own business... trillions apart ...yet forming white surf in unison. Ages on a…
Richard FeynmanRichard Feynman quote #46 In its solitariness the spirit asks, What, in the way of value, is the attainment of life? And it can find no such value till it has merged its individual clai…
Alfred North WhiteheadAlfred North Whitehead quote #1