Stephen Hawking (University of Cambridge Professor) – The Origin of the Universe (Mar 2018)


Chapters

00:00:00 Hong Kong Institute of Advanced Study Inaugural Lecture
00:09:23 The Beginning of the Universe: Perspectives from History and Science
00:18:48 The Expanding Universe and Theories of Its Origins
00:25:26 The Origin of the Universe: From Creation to Quantum Theory
00:36:05 Unifying Quantum Theory and General Relativity to Comprehend the Origin and Evolution of the
00:48:26 Stephen Hawking's Impact on Hong Kong
00:50:50 Sketching a Scientific Mind
00:53:08 Public Q&A with Professor Stephen Hawking
00:58:36 Scientific Inquiries of Stephen Hawking

Abstract

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe: Insights from Hawking’s Lecture at the Institute for Advanced Study in Hong Kong with Supplemental Updates

In a landmark lecture at the Institute for Advanced Study at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Professor Stephen Hawking captivated an audience with profound insights into the origins and nature of the universe. Angelina Yee, Executive Director, and President Paul Chu’s welcoming remarks set the stage for a journey through cosmic mysteries. Hawking, overcoming physical limitations with infrared technology for communication, symbolized human resilience and intellectual curiosity. His lecture, touching on theories from Aristotle to Einstein, and exploring cutting-edge concepts like quantum creation, expanded the horizons of understanding, leaving a lasting impact on the audience and reinforcing the Institute’s vision for advancing knowledge.

Vision of the Institute and Hawking’s Legendary Status

The Institute for Advanced Study at HKUST, aiming to be a global hub for scholarship, found a perfect inaugural speaker in Stephen Hawking. President Chu highlighted Hawking’s iconic status, well beyond academic circles. The local media coined the term “Hawking spirit” to describe the event’s atmosphere, showcasing the triumph of the human mind over adversity. The Institute is dedicated to establishing Hong Kong, China, and Asia as centers of intellectual development and innovation by promoting advanced research and scholarship to address the challenges of the 21st century.

The Lecture: From Ancient Myths to Modern Science

In his lecture, Stephen Hawking traced the path from ancient creation myths to contemporary scientific theories. He discussed Aristotle’s concept of an eternal universe, Kant’s antimonies, and Einstein’s revolutionary ideas on relativity. Adopting a positivist approach, which emphasizes sensory interpretation and testable predictions, he set the foundation for understanding the universe’s origins. He described how early interpretations of the universe’s creation were tied to specific times, like Bishop Usher’s biblical interpretation, and how natural features like mountains and rivers were once thought to be eternal or created simultaneously with humans.

Hubble’s Revelations and the Expanding Universe

Edwin Hubble’s groundbreaking observations marked a significant turning point in cosmology by revealing an expanding universe, which contested the long-standing notion of a static universe. His work led to intense debates and the rise and eventual dismissal of the steady state theory due to conflicting observational evidence. Using the 100-inch telescope at Mount Wilson, Hubble observed that galaxies are grouped in vast collections and are predominantly moving away from us, with their speed increasing with distance. Some scientists, uncomfortable with the concept of a beginning, proposed the steady state theory, which suggested that the universe had always existed in a constant state, with new galaxies continuously forming to replace those moving apart.

The Singularities and Quantum Mechanics

Stephen Hawking’s theories on singularities and the universe’s beginning, building upon Einstein’s theory of relativity, introduced a perspective where time could be viewed as another dimension. This idea, combined with quantum theory, provided a new way to think about the universe’s origin, moving beyond the limitations of general relativity. The expansion of the universe suggested a beginning, inferred from Hubble’s observations that galaxies moving apart were once closer together. This led to the hypothesis that the universe began around 15 billion years ago. At age 21, Hawking questioned Lifshitz and Kaladnikov’s proof and collaborated with Roger Penrose, developing new mathematical techniques to study the universe’s inception. Their theorems indicated that the universe couldn’t bounce back from a collapse and predicted a singularity, a point of infinite density where time begins. In 1965, the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation provided observational evidence for a dense beginning of the universe.

The Quantum Perspective and Hawking’s South Pole Analogy

Hawking’s innovative South Pole analogy, equating the start of time to the geographical South Pole, argued compellingly against the idea of a “before the universe.” He and Jim Hartle proposed a universe spontaneously created from quantum fluctuations, significantly advancing our understanding of cosmic origins. Different interpretations of these results include the theological perspective, as held by Pope John Paul, that God chose the beginning of the universe for reasons beyond human comprehension. On the other hand, most scientists favor the interpretation that general relativity breaks down under strong gravitation and must be replaced. The MAP satellite’s observations supporting the inflation theory, a concept of rapid expansion in the early universe, were instrumental in understanding galaxy and star formation.

Observations Supporting Inflation Theory

To comprehend the universe’s origin, it is necessary to merge general relativity with quantum theory, employing Feynman’s sum over histories approach. The issue of the universe’s beginning is analogous to wondering what lay beyond the world’s edge when it was believed to be flat. Hawking argued that combining general relativity and quantum theory offers a solution, akin to how the concept of Earth’s curvature resolved the flat world dilemma.

The Future of Cosmology and Gravitational Waves

Hawking emphasized the significance of detecting gravitational waves for insights into the early universe. These waves, bearing information from the universe’s infancy, hold the potential to unravel more mysteries, despite unresolved questions about the universe’s accelerating expansion and ultimate fate.

Hawking’s Impact Beyond Science

Hawking’s lecture had a profound impact that extended beyond the scientific community. The surge in sales of “A Brief History of Time” in Hong Kong, the lottery system implemented for lecture attendance, and a special sketch presented to Hawking by Circle Lo underscored his intellectual and spiritual influence.

Gravity, Light, and the Constants of Nature

Hawking discussed fundamental concepts such as the bending of light by gravity and the constants of nature, pivotal for understanding the structure of the universe. The implications of M-theory on these constants have opened new pathways in theoretical physics.

Hawking’s Philosophical Stance and Personal Reflections

Hawking’s ability to intertwine scientific inquiry with philosophical musings was evident in his discussions on topics like God’s role in the universe and the nature of black holes. His personal reflections, including his humorous take on understanding women, added a human element to the scientific discourse.

Conclusion

Stephen Hawking’s lecture at the Institute for Advanced Study in Hong Kong transcended a mere scientific presentation; it was a testament to the power of the human mind to explore, understand, and appreciate the universe’s mysteries. It reinforced the Institute’s mission of leading in intellectual and innovative discovery, while also deeply touching the hearts and minds of the audience, leaving an indelible mark on scientific thought and human curiosity.

Important Moments of Hospitality at UST Plenary Address:

The hospitality extended to Professor Stephen Hawking at the UST Plenary Address was noteworthy. The speaker expressed deep gratitude to Hawking for traveling from Cambridge University to Hong Kong UST. In appreciation, UST presented Hawking with a unique gift a sketch by the celebrated artist Mr. Circle Lo, depicting the essence of Hawking’s scientific brilliance and metaphorical journey through the universe. This sketch was unveiled by Hawking’s daughter, Lucy Hawking, symbolizing the event’s significance and Hawking’s lasting impact.

Q&A with Stephen Hawking – Answered Questions on Cosmology and M-Theory:

During the Q&A session, Hawking confirmed the influence of gravity on light as predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, illustrated by the bending of light from a distant star near the sun during the 1919 eclipse. He emphasized the

importance of maintaining a positive worldview despite physical challenges, highlighting his own accomplishments as an example. He discussed the constants of nature, explaining that in M-Theory, these are determined by the geometry of space and that only a few universes, out of many possible ones, support life. Hawking also engaged in a discussion about the role of God in the universe, drawing upon a conversation between Napoleon and Laplace, who dismissed the need for a “God hypothesis” in explaining the universe. He explained the difference between the Big Bang and black hole collapse, attributing the smoothness of the early universe to the no-boundary proposal and the uncertainty principle. He humorously commented on his American-accented voice synthesizer, noting its outdated hardware and the difficulty in finding a suitable alternative. Lastly, Hawking shared his desire to understand several complex phenomena, including black holes, the universe’s origin, and the survival of the human race, while humorously adding his wish to understand women.


Notes by: MatrixKarma