As others have commented, it is interesting that one strong motivating
factor for the proponents of the cyclic model was the fact that the
inflationary model seemed not to have good competition to keep its
proponents on their toes. Quite a noble approach, I'd say. Sign of a healthy
state of science?
It should also be pointed out that this particular questioning of the Big
Bang provides no comfort whatsoever to persons wishing to find empirical
support for a recent "exnihilation." The age of this particular universe
might be 14 billion years, but the age of the more fundamental World of
which this universe is but one cycle becomes effectively infinite. Of
course, if the Ultimate Reality is God-and-a-World, as David Griffin and
other process theologians suggest, then the cyclic model would seem quite
reasonable.
Howard Van Till
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