Why is There Anything at All?

[_Droopy]

Is it because some being willed the actuality of existence itself, or because non-existence, in any ultimate, fundamental sense, is logically and ontologically impossible?

In other words, if the only possible state is the state of existence (of matter, energy, being, consciousness, mind, spirit etc.), then the only question remaining is that of what exists, at what level of development, and at what level of phenomenal manifestation.

[_Fence Sitter]

I prefer the question;

How is there anything at all?

For me, 'Why' seems to beg the question of a creator?

[_sock puppet]

Is it because some being willed the actuality of existence itself, or because non-existence, in any ultimate, fundamental sense, is logically and ontologically impossible?

In other words, if the only possible state is the state of existence (of matter, energy, being, consciousness, mind, spirit etc.), then the only question remaining is that of what exists, at what level of development, and at what level of phenomenal manifestation.

Beginning that old canard, again, down the path of an infinite regression.

[_Ceeboo]

Hey Droopy!

For me, it's not simply why (or how) is there "anything at all", but it is why (or how) is there everything!


Peace,
Ceeboo

[_Sethbag]

I think a better question is how there be a God at all?

The answer to that one is at least as important as how there's anything else. Indeed, I find it far easier to understand how a lump of rock in space can exist, than a mammal god living on Kolob who is infinitely powerful, knowledgeable, and has infinite Celestial sex with a harem of wives.

[_Tarski]

Is it because some being willed the actuality of existence itself.

I hope you can see that this is not a possibility since the willing being is one of the things that doesn't exist. Remember, the question is why is there anything at all?
Said differently, gods themselves fall under the categrory "anything at all".

Think how silly and self contradictory this is:
Once there was nothing. Not time nor space nor matter nor spirit nor thought nor gods nor devils. But then one day a god willed all these to exist. (huh?)

[_Bazooka]

Droopy,

How would knowing the "why" impact on your life?

[_Tarski]

I guess Droopy didn't have any deep thoughts after all.

I would have like to hear him unpack this phrase: "level of phenomenal manifestation".
Specifically the "level" part.

[_Droopy]

I prefer the question;

How is there anything at all?

For me, 'Why' seems to beg the question of a creator?

Philosophically, it would only do so if the idea of a creator is already assumed to be a part of the class "everything."

[_Droopy]

Beginning that old canard, again, down the path of an infinite regression.

There's one interlocutor (and usual suspect) effectively out of the discussion.