Reasoning about Existence

The first question that comes to mind is: why does existence exist?

A common trap here is to accept any reason at all. Any given reason can then be questioned for its own reason. Let's take (old)God as an example: if we say everything that is was created by (old)God, then we still don't know where (old)God came from. The only valid reply to this is that (old)God created Himself. Against this, it can't be argued; a thing creating itself is logically possible. Yet for this, you do not need a (old)God; self-creation is perfectly valid for just the universe itself or even the entirety of existence.

A different way the same question is often asked is: why is there something rather than nothing? Upon closer inspection, the word "nothing" is a negative self-reference and should therefore not be able to exist. You can thus conclude that something must exist because nothing cannot exist. Yet logic itself is also a thing that exists. Nothing would therefore not include logic and so must not follow its rules.

I conclude: there are two valid answers:

  1. Existence created itself out of nothing. Whether this was some willful act from an unknown entity or an entirely random event, it is impossible to say. Yet the second one requires fewer assumptions. (The first requires not only the ability to self-create but also some sort of intent.)

  2. Existence has always existed. Assuming this, you might conclude that existence also will always exist. Yet this can't be assumed. Just as self-creation is perfectly logical, so is self-destruction.

The next question to consider is about the end of existence. Here are the two valid Answers:

  1. Existence will always exist.
    Following this, one can imagine an eternal existence that always has and always will exist. This is the most comforting view, in my opinion; and since, from our point of view, it is impossible to know, we might as well assume this, as we have just as much reason for it as for any other explanation.

    Furthermore, it is worth considering that a self-created existence could also exist forever.

  2. Existence has an end.
    This too is possible for both a self-created and an always-existing existence. However, it splits further into what I call a "true end" and a "new beginning."

    A true end is what can poetically be described as the abyss. I do not recommend staring too long into it.

    Yet if existence can create itself out of nothing, then it can do so again. This is what I call a "new beginning," and in fact, there can theoretically be infinite existences.