“I want to know why the universe exists, why there is something greater than nothing.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“I want to know why the universe exists, why there is something greater than nothing.”
Explanation
In this quote, Stephen Hawking expresses one of the fundamental questions that drove much of his work in theoretical physics. His desire to understand the origins of the universe and why there is something rather than nothing reflects the existential curiosity that has propelled human inquiry for millennia. The question of “Why is there something rather than nothing?” is a profound philosophical and scientific query that has troubled thinkers from philosophers like Leibniz to modern cosmologists like Hawking himself. It probes the nature of existence itself and challenges us to understand the fundamental laws that govern our reality.
Hawking’s personal quest to find answers to this question was linked to his work on the Big Bang theory, black holes, and the nature of time. In his book A Brief History of Time, he explores how the universe might have arisen from a singularity, a point of infinite density, and how the laws of physics—such as quantum mechanics and general relativity—might explain the universe’s origins. For Hawking, answering this question was not just an intellectual pursuit but a way to bridge science with some of the most profound philosophical inquiries about our place in the cosmos.
In modern times, Hawking’s pursuit of understanding the universe’s origins continues to influence both science and popular culture. His work on cosmology and quantum mechanics has not only reshaped how we view the universe but has also encouraged a new generation of scientists to grapple with these same deep questions. Today, the search for answers to why the universe exists is ongoing, with cutting-edge experiments in particle physics and astronomy offering new insights into the mysteries of creation and existence. Hawking’s curiosity remains a beacon for future generations of researchers seeking to understand the ultimate question of why there is something rather than nothing.
