On the Boundary of the Cosmos

TL;DR

This paper explores the conditions under which the universe has a beginning, emphasizing the importance of the direction of time and boundary conditions, and proposes a disjunctive approach to defining the universe's boundary.

Contribution

It introduces a disjunctive formulation of the boundary condition and refines the metrical conception of the universe's beginning based on thought experiments.

Findings

Proposes disjunctive boundary conditions for the universe.

Refines the metrical conception of the universe's beginning.

Highlights the fundamental role of direction and boundary conditions.

Abstract

Intuitively, the totality of physical reality -- the Cosmos -- has a beginning only if (i) all parts of the Cosmos agree on the direction of time (the Direction Condition) and (ii) there is a boundary to the past of all non-initial spacetime points such that there are no spacetime points to the past of the boundary (the Boundary Condition). Following a distinction previously introduced by J. Brian Pitts, the Boundary Condition can be conceived of in two distinct ways: either topologically, i.e., in terms of a closed boundary, or metrically, i.e., in terms of the Cosmos having a finite past. This article proposes that the Boundary Condition should be posed disjunctively, modifies and improves upon the metrical conception of the Cosmos's beginning in light of a series of surprising yet simple thought experiments, and suggests that the Direction and Boundary Conditions should be thought of as more fundamental to the concept of the Cosmos's beginning than classical Big Bang cosmology.