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New Theories / Could expansion and contraction of the universe be driven by the same processes?
« on: 09/08/2017 07:01:55 »
The following speculations are drawn, in part, from my reflections on the cosmology of Nicholas of Cusa, with which I have been engaging for the purposes of a PhD on the modern idea of (privative) infinity. In brief, what follows is the proposition that the expansion of the universe following the big bang is the same process which leads to its eventual contraction into a big crunch (thus is a theory of an infinite cycle of universes). The key assumption is that the universe begins - and on some level remains - as a single unity:
Let us say that the universe begins as a singularity, and, as such, a formless plenum. Let us say that the process of the universe is one of development from formlessness and infinite potential to absolute form and actuality.
Let us say that matter is the ‘contraction’ or ‘condensation’ of formless plenum into more definite forms; and that this process is at the same time what ‘forms’ space, as the differentiation ‘within’ the plenum of itself from itself which separates bodies of matter. Contraction of the plenum into definite forms, occupying space, would at the same time be the process which ‘creates’ space and thus expands the spatial universe.
Let us say that gravity is the force of contraction of matter, tending towards absolute contraction into a single definite point. As space is created by matter (or the process of matter-creation), and does not have pre-existing dimensions to expand into, all objects are simultaneously at the centre (rather, centres) of the universe. Gravity, then, is the simultaneous contraction of the universe towards its manifold centres. From the perspective of any one of these centres, the processes of matter creation from the plenum and of inward contraction of each galaxy or region of space towards its centre, would make it appear as though the universe were expanding in every direction, each galaxy or region of space rushing away from us.
Let us say that a black hole is formed when a body is so massive, and has such a concentration of matter (and thus of the universe as a whole, conceiving it as a single ‘substance’), that its attraction towards its own centre is greater than towards every other centre in the universe combined. On a local scale it ‘outweighs’ the rest of the universe. As it contracts, it becomes denser, and thus harder to contract further. It can only do so by gaining mass, and thus increasing the force of its own gravitational attraction. It becomes denser by becoming denser, contracts by contracting. It does this by pulling in matter from outside. As it does so, it increases its prominence among the manifold centres of the universe, biasing the ongoing expansion of the universe (also its contraction towards a definite point) in its direction. The contraction of the black hole is a kind of inward expansion, in the sense that more and more of the universe is concentrated within it.
As the universe ages, there should be more, denser, black holes, and fewer other massive bodies. The counteracting attraction of other bodies towards their own centres will be lessened in force, and the attraction of black holes increased. The contraction of matter into black holes, and the attraction of black holes into each other, could still simultaneously represent an expansion of the universe, so long as there were still sufficient matter in each region of space to fuel the continuing contraction of its black holes.
But once at a stage where regions of space had each contracted to a single black hole then there would be a contraction of space as superdense black holes simultaneously contracted towards and into each other. Although the expanse of space between them might be immense, equally, with its being so empty, there would be so little in it for black holes to ‘eat’, so little resistance in terms of the counteracting weight of other bodies towards their own centres, that the gravitational attraction of black holes should still lock onto each other, growing ever stronger as they pulled in the space towards themselves, the process of overall contraction of the spatial universe towards its remaining centres accelerating.
We might see the end result of this process being the final contraction of the last two black holes into one, resulting in a single definite point, the universe as a singularity, which as such would also not be definite at all, lacking all form and dimensions; and, with the infinite gravitational force required to contract the entire universe into a point of infinite density suddenly lifted, as soon as there was nothing to attract itself towards, giving rise to a Big Bang. In such a way this would be an account of an infinite cycle of universes.
This, at least, has an emotional, aesthetic, and rational appeal to me.
Very grateful for any thoughts on how and with whom I might engage on this further.
Let us say that the universe begins as a singularity, and, as such, a formless plenum. Let us say that the process of the universe is one of development from formlessness and infinite potential to absolute form and actuality.
Let us say that matter is the ‘contraction’ or ‘condensation’ of formless plenum into more definite forms; and that this process is at the same time what ‘forms’ space, as the differentiation ‘within’ the plenum of itself from itself which separates bodies of matter. Contraction of the plenum into definite forms, occupying space, would at the same time be the process which ‘creates’ space and thus expands the spatial universe.
Let us say that gravity is the force of contraction of matter, tending towards absolute contraction into a single definite point. As space is created by matter (or the process of matter-creation), and does not have pre-existing dimensions to expand into, all objects are simultaneously at the centre (rather, centres) of the universe. Gravity, then, is the simultaneous contraction of the universe towards its manifold centres. From the perspective of any one of these centres, the processes of matter creation from the plenum and of inward contraction of each galaxy or region of space towards its centre, would make it appear as though the universe were expanding in every direction, each galaxy or region of space rushing away from us.
Let us say that a black hole is formed when a body is so massive, and has such a concentration of matter (and thus of the universe as a whole, conceiving it as a single ‘substance’), that its attraction towards its own centre is greater than towards every other centre in the universe combined. On a local scale it ‘outweighs’ the rest of the universe. As it contracts, it becomes denser, and thus harder to contract further. It can only do so by gaining mass, and thus increasing the force of its own gravitational attraction. It becomes denser by becoming denser, contracts by contracting. It does this by pulling in matter from outside. As it does so, it increases its prominence among the manifold centres of the universe, biasing the ongoing expansion of the universe (also its contraction towards a definite point) in its direction. The contraction of the black hole is a kind of inward expansion, in the sense that more and more of the universe is concentrated within it.
As the universe ages, there should be more, denser, black holes, and fewer other massive bodies. The counteracting attraction of other bodies towards their own centres will be lessened in force, and the attraction of black holes increased. The contraction of matter into black holes, and the attraction of black holes into each other, could still simultaneously represent an expansion of the universe, so long as there were still sufficient matter in each region of space to fuel the continuing contraction of its black holes.
But once at a stage where regions of space had each contracted to a single black hole then there would be a contraction of space as superdense black holes simultaneously contracted towards and into each other. Although the expanse of space between them might be immense, equally, with its being so empty, there would be so little in it for black holes to ‘eat’, so little resistance in terms of the counteracting weight of other bodies towards their own centres, that the gravitational attraction of black holes should still lock onto each other, growing ever stronger as they pulled in the space towards themselves, the process of overall contraction of the spatial universe towards its remaining centres accelerating.
We might see the end result of this process being the final contraction of the last two black holes into one, resulting in a single definite point, the universe as a singularity, which as such would also not be definite at all, lacking all form and dimensions; and, with the infinite gravitational force required to contract the entire universe into a point of infinite density suddenly lifted, as soon as there was nothing to attract itself towards, giving rise to a Big Bang. In such a way this would be an account of an infinite cycle of universes.
This, at least, has an emotional, aesthetic, and rational appeal to me.
Very grateful for any thoughts on how and with whom I might engage on this further.