How a universe might emerge from absolute nothingness

Science · Published 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Ancient logic suggests nothing comes from nothing, but modern physics finds a loophole. By balancing positive matter against negative gravity, conservation laws might allow for a spontaneous transition from zero energy to an entire cosmos. This theory explores how our universe could emerge from a state with no space or time.

The philosophical hurdle to understanding our origins is rooted in the law of conservation of energy: no new energy can be created. However, physicists have identified a nuance in this rule. While matter possesses positive energy, gravity has negative energy. Conservation principles are upheld if zero energy divides into balanced positive and negative portions within a closed universe, as the sum stays at null. This concept directly addresses a flaw in Parmenides' ancient argument regarding existence. His original logic was likely based on the fact that new energy cannot be created. Modern science shows how this rule still holds true today.

This framework allows for 'Quantum Creation.' Physicist Alexander Vilenkin published a paper in 1984 suggesting that a zero-size universe (true nothingness) could overcome an energy barrier to become finite. This process relies on quantum tunneling, where there is a non-zero probability of such an event occurring. It is important to distinguish this from the 'vacuum of physics,' which contains virtual particles and measurable weight; true nothingness implies no space, no matter, and no time. Vilenkin's work utilized currently known laws of quantum mechanics to explain this transition. It moves the discussion beyond mere philosophical speculation into empirical study.

To reach the Big Bang—which occurred about 13.8 billion years ago—the universe first had to expand from a finite size. In late 1979, Alan Guth proposed that at extremely high energies, a special state of matter turned gravity repulsive rather than attractive. This caused a tiny patch of space, smaller than an atom, to blow up violently in a brief inflationary period before the repulsive force decayed into the attractive gravity we observe today. Guth used theories in particle physics to describe these high-energy conditions. These specific energies are much higher than what humans can produce in any laboratory. The resulting expansion happened for only a tiny fraction of a second.

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