The Concept of Nothing

[Emproph]

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The concept of Nothing is something that we live with every day, but never really think about. What is Nothing? When I ask you what you have in your pocket, you might reply, "Nothing." I ask you how many you have, you say, "none." We understand each other. You have no money, papers, Kleenex, etc.

But what if I really thought there was "Nothing" somewhere in the universe, I'd have to ask: Is it really "Nothing?" Isn't "Nothing" sort of Something? Isn't at least the concept that you and I have of what "Nothing" is, Something? Isn't a vacuum at least something?

"What is inside the box?" I ask.

"A vacuum."

"Nothing."

"Space."

"Time."

"What is a box, what part of the box is actually inside the box? At what point does the box start being a container instead of a box, the very last layer of molecules that is exposed to the vacuum, or the outer layer? If it's the outer layer, then the box is inside the box."

"Somebody get that kid outa here."

Five things are certainly not nothing. They are states, places, concepts and brain teasers. They are not matter certainly, but not nothing either.

So, there must be something that we share, a common conception of what "Nothing" is in any given circumstance. Nothing really takes on the definition of what the two parties intended. Nothing must be a fluid thing indeed. It fills our container with something to understand. It springs into existence when we need it to take shape, and vanishes ever more quickly when we dismiss it. It matches our needs, our understanding, our wishes. It is our servant becoming whatever we need it to be: Something.

So if the concept of nothing depends on the conceptions of those involved, how might we define absolute nothing, because the absence of anything really is sort of something, if only a concept.

If there was a big bang, and before the universe existed, there was no time, no space, what was there.

"Nothing," you reply.

Everyone is of course hard pressed to come up with common understanding of what sort of nothing, the Nothing that existed before the big bang was... or wasn't.

Starting to sound like A.A. Milne, aren't I?

If no two people have a similar concept of what this sort of nothing is, then how can they come to an understanding. It's like asking that kid again what's in his pocket.

He replies with a smirk, "Lint, air... what actually is a pocket..."

Obviously you realize what I meant when I asked you the question. Of course there was a misconception of what I was asking. I wanted to know if he had anything of value in his pocket. The kid wanted to let me know that his definition of "Nothing" was superior to mine, more exact, more his master than mine. He had the Nothing working harder for him than I did. My Nothing was lazy, ill conceived. His was sharp, exact.

But how can we be exact about the Nothing that existed before the universe?

Our definitions break down, nothing seems to be a concept that none of us can understand at this point. It has no common focus for us.

So we call it God.

God is nothing?

Now, what do you have in your pocket, smart ass?

Cute eh? That's probably the most succinct, applicable, and entertaining explanation I've found of how I see it. The more I read it, the more complete a synopsis it seems to be.

How do you measure nothing to prove that it exists?
How could even God perceive nothing, if nothing – by it's very nature – cannot exist?

And if nothing doesn’t exist, how then can the concept of it?

There’s only one answer, that the concept of nothing itself is an illusion – “something” that we all accept with carefree abandon.

Look at it the other way,

The opposite of nothing is everything. It can’t just be “some” thing, or more-than-one-thing, because inbetween those things would exist nothing, and we’ve already established that nothing cannot exist.

Outside of what DOES exist, cannot be perceived.

Ergo, the concept of nothing is proof of oneness.

Ergo, there's no such thing as "outside-of-God."


__What am I missing?

[andrewlittle]

You and Martin Heidegger would have had a field day together. Is it nothing or "no thing"?

If I had the time, I would engage you in this foray. For now, I will just say how much I would love to hinge your skull so I peer inside your head once in a while and watch the processes at work. You, sir, are a thinker bar none.

[BruceChris]

Q: What would you rather have, eternal happiness, or a ham sandwich?

A: Well, nothing is better than eternal happiness, and I suppose a ham sandwich is better than nothing.

And, oh yeah, even nothingness contains quantum fluctuations.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris