During my first term in college taking up a major in Philosophy and Human Resources Development in San Beda College (now San Beda University) I encountered the book of Stephen Hawking's, A Brief History of Time.
I scratched my head as I wondered what a science book about cosmology written by a British physicist is doing on the list of books that we needed to finish before the end of the semester.
The others on the list made sense like Sophie's World, In the Name of the Rose and Plato: Five Dialogues.
Our Philosophy professor had a reputation for being eccentric and we thought he was throwing us a curve ball by assigning this and waiting for one of us to question him about it. I was briefed by some upperclassman that he liked being asked and questioned because at its very essence Philosophy is about questioning.
Prior to being assigned to read it, I have never heard of Stephen Hawkings before. Yet chapter after chapter had me glued to my seat as I devoured his writings. He made the explanation of the origins, composition and eventual fate of the universe easier to understand by making complex ideas like general relativity and quantum mechanics accessible.
The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Black Holes and The Theory of Everything
Thom Schneider
The Universe
Once I opened the book I understood why it was part of the curriculum. It presented several ideas by philosophers, astronomers and, even theologians.
The idea from an Earth-centric model of the solar system was disproven and shifted to the heliocentric model that was thought of and proven by Copernicus, Galilei and Kepler
A few more ideas of the origins of the universe from the minds of St. Augustine and Edwin Hubble discovered that the galaxies in the universe are moving away from each other in an expanding motion.
Which brings us to the next major thought in this book.
The Big Bang Theory
Almost everyone agrees that there is that single point, the start that brought forth the whole universe. Genesis to theologians and religious people and The Big Bang Theory to scientists.
The so-called "God Particle" that was created from nothing and made into something that was the catalyst that exploded and made light out of the darkness.
It was pretty interesting as I remember that the class was split in this discussion as most of the students came from Catholic Schools that indoctrinated the idea of Genesis as the truth. Then the other half believes in The Big Bang Theory. It was a lively debate, to put it mildly.
Black Holes
This was one area that Stephen Hawking really gave thought because one of his major discoveries was about the nature of Black Holes. His idea postulates that black holes emit radiation which is weird because the idea of a black hole is nothing is able to escape it neither light or energy. The theory suggests that one of the particles is sucked in by the black hole either by its mass or the event horizon and the other particle escapes and is registered as radiation. This would eventually be called Hawking's radiation.
The Theory of Everything
This is the aspiration of all physicist to be able to solve and formulate the master theory that will be able to explain all physical aspects of the universe.
Currently, there are two fundamental thoughts being used one is the General Relativity theory that focuses on gravity and the other one is Quantum Field Theory that focuses on the three non-gravitational in nature which is the weak, strong and the electromagnetic force.
Both though cannot be used to support each other. So onwards towards unlocking The Theory of Everything.
The book had a profound effect on how I thought because we must embrace the truth and look for it Also to not be afraid to ask questions and discern what is the truth for us.
I remember reading an article on how he felt when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and was given two years to live yet lived to reach the age of 76. How he overcame his depression and made his theories and articles while struggling with his differently-abled condition.
The movie The Theory of Everything who starred the wonderful Eddie Redmayne gave life to the struggles, story of redemption and belief that he can make a difference is one my favorites.
Below is a line that I really like.
So I am saddened by the news of his death today. He was said to have died peacefully but the world is a little bit dimmer as another great mind is taken away from us.
He may be gone from this physical existence but he will return back to the stars and be part of everything
May this humble tribute light your way to the sky.
Sources:
A brief history of time
The Theory of Everything
Achievements of Stephen Hawking
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