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Fig.1 cosmology and it's origin |
Cosmology
The word cosmology comes from the Greek word kosmos, meaning “the universe” or “the world,” and logia, which means “the study of” (including both physics and metaphysics). The study of the universe as a whole—its nature, origin, and structure—through the lens of physics is known as cosmology.
Let’s now elaborate in more detail—what exactly is cosmology? Actually, cosmology can be divided into two types:
- Physical cosmology
- Religious cosmology
Physical Cosmology
In this blog, I will focus only on physical cosmology and not on religious cosmology.
Physical cosmology is a branch of physics and astrophysics that studies the physical origins and evolution of the universe. It also involves understanding the nature of the universe on a large scale. It uses both scientific methods and philosophical approaches.
When I mention philosophy or spirituality, I mean them in the same way. To me, there is no real difference between them because they share the same essence. Although their paths may differ, their destination is the same.
Physical cosmology involves the study of the universe's origin, its large-scale structures and dynamics, and its ultimate fate. It also includes the scientific laws that govern these aspects. This field is explored by scientists—such as astronomers and physicists—as well as philosophers, including metaphysicians, philosophers of science, and philosophers of space and time. Because of this overlap with philosophy, physical cosmology includes both scientific and non-scientific ideas, and some of its assumptions cannot be tested through experiments.
Modern physical cosmology focuses on questions related to the Big Bang theory, dark matter, dark energy, and the fate of the universe. In short, cosmology gives us the power to ask deep questions about our existence. Or, to put it another way: What exactly is the universe?
Can you feel the depth of what I’m trying to say? If yes, then you are on the right path and have a genuine interest in cosmology—which is brilliant. I truly appreciate your efforts in exploring this field.
Origin of Cosmology
Now you may be wondering: where does cosmology come from? We’ve only recently started hearing this term more often, and for many of you, this might be your first time encountering it. So let’s go back in history to understand how it began.
In ancient times, people didn’t talk about physics. Instead, they discussed philosophy. In fact, science itself evolved from philosophy and spirituality. Today, however, many of us don’t fully understand the true meaning of these two important concepts, even though we use them often. Now, let’s return to the main topic.
First, Aristotle provided evidence that the Earth is round, not flat.
Later, Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Galileo expanded on our understanding of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Then came the revolutionary book Principia, written by Isaac Newton. In it, he expressed the universe in mathematical form. That marked the beginning of science as we know it today.
Later, in 1915, Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity brought another major breakthrough in the scientific world.
Gradually, cosmology developed over the years. Then, Stephen Hawking’s theory about the Big Bang gave cosmology a well-defined place as a scientific field. It’s not that the word cosmology had never been used before, but it was less common. After his contributions, the term gained more recognition and importance.
With that, I’ve shared my personal views on cosmology and its origins. I would love to hear what you think as well. Please share your thoughts in the comments so I can read your views on this subject.
"The study of cosmology is a journey to understand the true existence of myself."
— Muskan Jain (Blog Writer)
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