Linford, Daniel (2026) Universe Without a Cause: A Reply to David Lu. [Preprint]
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Abstract
David Lu has recently argued that denying the Modified Causal Principle (MCP) – that if the universe began to exist, then it has a cause – leads to the conclusion that we likely inhabit an Omphalos universe, one that began recently with the appearance of age. Lu goes on to argue that if the universe is likely Omphalos, then independent measurements of the universe’s age are unlikely to agree. I offer three families of objections. First, Lu’s probabilistic reasoning faces technical challenges and, even if those challenges are overcome, cannot rule out an Omphalos universe. Second, I propose an alternative hypothesis that does so. Third, I argue – drawing on a standard argument in the foundations of statistical mechanics – that no ordinary scientific inference can be used to rule out our living in an Omphalos universe. Instead, we must either presuppose that we do not inhabit one or else be stuck in a skeptical scenario tolerable to no one.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Keywords: | Kalam cosmological argument; Cosmology; causal principle; causation; beginning of the universe | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Astrophysics General Issues > Causation Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Science and Religion Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Daniel Linford | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 10 Feb 2026 13:28 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 10 Feb 2026 13:28 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 28182 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Astrophysics General Issues > Causation Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Science and Religion Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics |
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| Date: | 2026 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28182 |
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