Why does existence exist?

Question

Just pondering this one day. One may argue there must be an answer other than "It just does."

Answer 1

This is a very good question.

Anything that exists must exist "within" existence. To exist means to be in existence. Thus, if existence existed, then it would have to exist within existence, and there would be TWO existences, one that exists, and the one that it exists within. Therefore, it cannot be said that existence exists.

When we ask, "why does existence exist?" we imply that existence could not exist. If existence did not exist then there would be nonexistence. But nonexistence by definition cannot exist, because nonexistence means to not exist. If nonexistence existed, then it would have to exist within existence. Therefore, there is no such thing as (absolute) nonexistence, and therefore existence cannot not exist.

Existence cannot be said to exist, because then there would be two existences, nor can it be said to not exist, because that is impossible since nonexistence cannot exist. How can it both exist and not exist, when the two are contrary? Saying that it neither exists nor does not exist is saying the same thing.

Existence is eternal, and could never have come to exist nor not exist, there is no other way existence could be, this is the answer to your question.

Answer 2

I am an existentialist; and this is a damn good question.

Existence: state or fact of a being or entity existing
Exist: to have reality, to be present as a being or entity

As an existentialist, I believe in existence as the state of being first and foremost. It exists, sorry to say this, because it is there! There is no other way to interpret it, or know why. Just remember that "existence" is a term coined by man. Just like "chair," but I don't typically question why a "chair" exists because it is a noun.

Existence is more like a verb. An action of being, so it is harder to understand.

But, once armed with this premise, I can understand how to interpret existence as an existant! I exist. You exist. We make up a collective existence, as does everything else known to man. It is an all ecompassing term.

When applied to existentialism, existence is everything. My existence precedes my essence. Therefore, because I exist, I have to make choices, and think as a functioning human being. These choices, actions, and thoughts make up my essence. Therefore I am wholly accountable to my essence, which is derived from my existence.

If you can come to grips with this, you will feel an anguish, or an ANGST, that everything exists and is whole unto itself only. Life becomes a little absurd, a comedy on a grand scale, for life is strictly what my essence makes of it.

There is a whole lot more to existentialism, especially when you add in the concept of the Other, but that is too expansive of an answer.

If questions like this you ponder frequently, read up on existentialism. Sartre, Kierkegaard, Levinas, Heidegger, even Neitzsche.....it's fascinating.

Answer 3

Existence exists because, without the existence of existence, existence would be non-existant. In other words, you wouldn't be able to ask that question if it didn't.

Just something to ponder for Mr. "A. Qurius Muse:" if God is the meaning of existence, how would God exist? Did a non-existant being just think Himself into existence? Ah, but something that doesn't exist can't think, therefore God wouldn't exist. Seems to be a paradox.

There are just some things that can't be truly explained by either science or religion. The idea of explaining these only puts you in an endless loop of thoughts that eventually get you nowhere but several years later, and closer to death.

Answer 4

Existence...I've been comtemplating this since I was six years old--and I've not come up with a solution, I am sorry. But I think it is arbitrary--based on randomness. The fact that you are even you is the result of chance, certain genes combining together; the people you know, the things you do, also random. And I don't think there is meaning to any of it, I don't think that there is any reason why. I guess you just have to accept it somehow...

But you seem smart, and you'll figure it out. Thank-you for your advice earlier. I just hope your existence has meaning for you.

Answer 5

Understand that everything we refer to has a name; humans have assigned a word to every object and that's how we distinguish it from others. When we hear that word, we think of that object.

The term "existence" refers to the "continuance in being or life". It's not something physical, but a state of being that we have named. Like alive, as in not dead, or dead, as in not alive.

This "continuance in being or life" exists because we have represented that state of being with the word "existence"

Or, you could possibly argue that existence does not actually exist because it is not alive, a necessary requiement in some situations for something to exist. However, although existence the word itself is not alive, the thing it refers to (a state of being) is a state of alive-ness. But, this is the case with all words; the word "cat", for example, is not alive but the thing it refers to is.

Your existence question is a very complicated one and can easily confuse something that exists. In order to maintain your sane existence, I in my existence would reccomend that you not waste your existence thinking about why existence exists. If you see what I mean things can get very complicated very quickily.

Answer 6

How do we really know if existence exists? Perhaps it doesn't. How can we ever know for sure? I think we should establish if it exists or not before we take on the question of why. (wink)

Answer 7

I think it's something like 'Q' in Star Trek Next Generation-God is looking for friends but He wants you to make the same decisions He would if He were human

Answer 8

The Meaning of Life is the answer to this question:

God, what is Your purpose of Existence?

For God's purpose of Existence itself defines the purpose of all that exists.

I asked God that question...

God answered, "My purpose of Existence is To give life. Since you are made in My image after My likeness, then YOUR purpose of existence is to give life."

Everything that exists is an expression of God's thinking; thus, everything reflects God's thinking.

God gives life by His unique existence, and receives life when He gives life. All of existence gives life by its unique existence to that which receives life from its unique existence. This is Nature - the union of all living (eternal) things.

You are here to give life by your unique existence to that which receives life from your unique existence. So do what you love that nourishes those who love what you love.

This is your purpose.

According to the Big Bang theory, scientists assume that the universe began as a singularity the size of a marble that fits in your hand.

How is it possible to fit the ENTIRE universe in a marble?

The Big Bang theory suggests that the origin of the universe began as a singularity - a primeval atom. If the universe actually did begin as a primeval atom, where did it come from? And if the primeval atom did exist as a singularity, how is the Big Bang mathematically possible if 1+0=1?

Which means that if the primeval atom exists as a singularity and there is nothing else to add to it, then shouldn't the universe still exist as a primeval atom according to this mathematical principle?

And if such a primeval atom exploded the universe into existence, how could it consist in the first place if it existed as a singular instability? - which means that the singularity was unstable and blew up (if this is the case, how long was it stable and what caused the instability if it existed as a singularity and there was nothing else there to unbalance it)?

To look at things differently is to see things clearly.

The universe is a non-linear construct from The Infinite. The universe has a beginning but it has no end...

More explicitly...

God caused all existence to altogether consist simultaneously at once...thus, the universe is a non-linear construct from The Infinite.

How is this possible? Simple... E=mc2 (The conversion of light energy into matter).

ALL MATTER CONSISTS OF ENERGY.

Where does this energy come from? A primeval atom the size of a marble? Do you REALLY think that is physically possible?

If E=mc2 is the conversion of light energy into matter, and all matter consists of energy...then all matter originally consisted as light.

Where did this energy come from? Light.

If energy came from light...and GOD IS LIGHT...all energy came from God!

If God is Light...and Light is energy...

What does God consist of?

E...N...E...R...G...Y...

E=mc2

If God says, "I am the beginning" God is saying, "I am the raw material from which all existence consists." Thus, God Himself is the Light from which all matter is formed...

God is E=mc2

Genesis 1.1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

"In the beginning" means "From Eternity"

If Eternity has no beginning nor end, and God has no beginning nor end, God is Eternity.

Genesis 1.1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

When was the heaven created? In the beginning.
When was the earth created? In the beginning.

So if BOTH the heaven AND the earth were created in the beginning, the heaven and the earth were BOTH created simultaneously!

THUS, THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH ARE THE SAME AGE!

So the earth IS over 65,000,000 years old!

Genesis 1.1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

If "In the beginning" means "from Eternity", and God IS Eternity, AND GOD IS THE BEGINNING, "In the beginning" means "In God". So Genesis 1.1 actually says, "In God, God created the heaven and the earth".

Why didn't Genesis 1.1 say "At the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" as if related to time like "At 1:00"? Because "In the beginning" is "from Eternity" where there is no time. AND "In the beginning" is BOTH a moment AND a location.

How? God is Omnipresent. NOTHING can exist OUTSIDE OF GOD, thus everything exists WITHIN God. SO, "IN the beginning" is actually "WITHIN the beginning"; which is actually "WITHIN God, The Beginning".

Thus,

Genesis 1.1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

or

Within, God The Beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.

God is Spirit. Angels are "spirit" beings. God created angels from Himself.

The same way God formed angels from Himself, so formed He existence...

With one thought.

God has no beginning. He has no "first thought" as if He had a beginning. God's infinite knowledge itself is one thought.

Omniscience is infinite knowledge as one thought.
Omnificence is unlimited creative power.
Omnipotence is infinite power.
Omnipresence is infinity itself.

Put them together, what do you get?

Unlimited creative power applied to infinite knowledge that is expressed everywhere at once with a single act of infinite power!

Or

God creating existence from Himself with one thought!

E=mc2

Genesis 1.1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

or

Within, God The Beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.

or

Within, God The Beginning, God formed from Himself, Existence, with one thought - causing all existence to altogether consist simultaneously at once.

Thus, the universe is a non-linear construct from The Infinite - God Himself. The universe has a beginning but it has no end.

Which is why the background of the stars is black.

Learn to look at things differently is to see things clearly.

Existence itself is created from God's physical existence. Yes God does physically exist, He is just physically different.

How do I know all this, simple...

I asked God this question...

What are you made of?

His answer...

Energy.

And that was the beginning of my instruction directly from the Creator...

Answer 9

all i know is that it cant be a god and the big bang sounds like bull.
thats just one of the things well never know

Answer 10

Heavy.