Why is there something, rather than nothing? This simple yet confounding question resonates with almost every curious person. In this thoughtful and provocative book, Stephen A. Simon surveys five answers that have been offered to this question from a variety of perspectives: science, religion, philosophy, and even mathematics. Framed by a careful explication of the history and meaning of its central question as well as a critical discussion of its legitimacy and significance, this book offers an exciting entry point to this topic for students and general readers alike.
Table of Contents:
1. Asking the Ultimate Question2. A Puzzle Both Ancient and Modern3. The Scientific Universe- The Power of Science
- The Big Bang Theory
- Problems in Contemporary Theories
- The Circularity Problem
- Living in the Scientific Universe
4. The Mathematical Universe- The Remarkable Nature of Mathematics
- Mathematical Answers to the Puzzle of Existence
- What Are Mathematical Objects?
- Are Mathematical Truths Necessary?
- Living in the Mathematical Universe
5. The Good Universe- The Distinctiveness of Value-Based Explanations
- The Pervasiveness of Value
- Teleological Arguments and the Fine-Tuning Problem
- Platonic Roots of Value-Based Theories
- Leslie’s Theory of “Ethical Requiredness”
- What Kind of Thing Is Value?
- The Specification Problem
- The Problem of Evil
- Living in the Good Universe
6. The Divine Universe- Personal Intentions as Explanation
- Ontological Arguments
- Cosmological Arguments
- God as the Best Available Explanation
- Challenges for a Theistic Approach
- Living in the Divine Universe
7. The Lawful Universe- Nomological Explanation
- Parfit’s “Selector”
- Van Inwagen’s Probabilistic Analysis
- Smith’s “Law of the Simplest Beginning”
- Nozick’s “Assumption of Fecundity”
- Challenges for a Nomological Approach
- Living in the Lawful Universe
8. Is the Question Legitimate?- Objections to Seeking Reasons for the Totality of Existing Things
- Nāgārjuna’s Madhyamaka Buddhism
- Śaṅkara’s Advaita Vedānta Hinduism
9. Embracing the Inquiry- Better Understanding the Problem
- Better Understanding Ourselves
- The Puzzle of Existence and the Quest for Meaning
About the Author :
Stephen A. Simon is Associate Professor of Political Science, and Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law (PPEL) at the University of Richmond.
Review :
“Humans seek explanations for everything, but what could possibly explain the most fundamental fact of all—that anything exists? With clarity and depth, this book carries readers on a fascinating and balanced journey through science, philosophy, and history’s greatest ideas, weaving together answers from mathematics to meaning, from law to God. More than a survey, it unfolds as a narrative of wonder and discovery, showing how every proposed explanation reaches beyond the puzzle itself to touch on questions of purpose, significance, and what it means to find our place in the cosmos.” — Robert K. Garcia, Baylor University
“Drawing from a wide array of historical and contemporary sources, Why Does Anything Exist? addresses the title question in an accessible and engaging way, touching on issues in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of religion. In doing so, it provides a historically sensitive entry into one of the most fascinating—and most perplexing—questions in philosophy. It is an excellent text for introductory courses in metaphysics, as well as in philosophical thinking more generally; more advanced scholars will likewise benefit from its many careful, insightful discussions.” — Kevin Morris, Tulane University of Louisiana
“Stephen A. Simon’s Why Does Anything Exist? offers a clear and engaging overview of one of philosophy’s oldest puzzles. There are no easy answers, but Simon shows that grappling with this question nevertheless sheds light on the nature of explanation and our place in the cosmos. Accessible yet nuanced, this book offers an excellent resource for students, instructors, and any reader drawn to the mystery of existence.” — August Faller, University of the Fraser Valley
