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'''Everything''' is all that [[exists]].[1] Every object and entity is a part of everything, including all [[physical]] bodies and in some cases all abstract objects. Everything is generally defined as the opposite of [[absence|nothing]], although an alternative view considers "nothing" a part of everything.
==Scope==
In ordinary [[conversation]], everything usually refers only to the totality of [[things]] relevant to the subject [[matter]].[1] When there is no expressed limitation, everything may refer to the [[universe]] or the world.
The Universe is most commonly defined as everything that physically exists: the entirety of [[space and time]], all forms of [[matter]], [[energy]] and [[momentum]], and the physical [[law]]s and constants that govern them. However, the term "universe" may be used in slightly different [[context]]ual senses, denoting such [[concepts]] as the [[cosmos]], the world or [[Nature]]. According to some speculations, this universe may be one of many disconnected universes, which are collectively denoted as the [[multiverse]]. In one theory, there is an [[infinite]] variety of universes, each with different physical constants. In another theory, new universes are spawned with every quantum measurement. By definition, these speculations cannot currently be tested [[experiment]]ally, yet, if they exist, they would still be part of everything.
Especially in a metaphysical context, World may refer to everything that constitutes [[reality]] and the [[Universe]]: see World (philosophy). However, world may "only" refer to [[Earth]] envisioned from an anthropocentric or human [[worldview]], as a place inhabited by [[human being]]s. It is often used to signify the sum of human [[experience]] and [[history]], or the "[[human condition]]" in general.[2]
==In theoretical physics==
In theoretical physics, a theory of everything ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_everything TOE]) is a hypothetical theory that fully explains and links together all known physical [[phenomena]]. Initially, the term was used with an [[ironic]] connotation to refer to various overgeneralized theories. For example, a great-grandfather of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijon_Tichy Ijon Tichy] — a character from a cycle of Stanisław Lem's [[science fiction]] stories of 1960s — was known to work on the "General Theory of Everything". Over time, the term stuck in popularizations of quantum [[physics]] to describe a theory that would unify or explain through a single [[model]] the theories of all fundamental interactions of [[nature]].
There have been many theories of everything proposed by theoretical physicists over the last century, but none have been confirmed experimentally. The primary problem in producing a TOE is that the accepted theories of [[quantum mechanics]] and [[Relativity|general relativity]] are hard to combine.
Based on theoretical [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_principle holographic principle] [[arguments]] from the 1990s, many physicists believe that 11-dimensional M-theory, which is described in many sectors by matrix [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstring_theory string theory], and in many other sectors by perturbative string theory, is the complete theory of everything. Other physicists disagree.
==In philosophy==
In philosophy, a theory of everything or TOE is an ultimate, all-encompassing explanation of nature or reality.[3][4][5] Adopting the term from [[physics]], where the search for a theory of everything is ongoing, philosophers have discussed the viability of the [[concept]] and [[analyzed]] its properties and implications.[3][4][5] Among the questions to be addressed by a philosophical theory of everything are: "Why is reality understandable?" "Why are the laws of nature as they are?" "Why is there anything at all?"[3]
==Further reading==
Church Dogmatics III/3, pp. 389–368, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Barth Karl Barth]
[http://www.pentapublishing.com/ In Search of a Cyclops], Fredrick Schermer
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Bergson Creative Evolution, Henri Bergson], Chapter IV
==References==
# "everything". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
# "This is the excellent foppery of the world..." — Shakespeare, King Lear, I.ii
# Rescher, Nicholas (2006a). "Holistic Explanation and the Idea of a Grand Unified Theory". Collected Papers IX: Studies in Metaphilosophy.
# Rescher, Nicholas (2006b). "The Price of an Ultimate Theory". Collected Papers IX: Studies in Metaphilosophy.
# Walker, Mark Alan (March 2002). "Prolegomena to Any Future Philosophy". Journal of Evolution and Technology Vol. 10.
[[Category: Physics]]
[[Category: Philosophy]]
'''Everything''' is all that [[exists]].[1] Every object and entity is a part of everything, including all [[physical]] bodies and in some cases all abstract objects. Everything is generally defined as the opposite of [[absence|nothing]], although an alternative view considers "nothing" a part of everything.
==Scope==
In ordinary [[conversation]], everything usually refers only to the totality of [[things]] relevant to the subject [[matter]].[1] When there is no expressed limitation, everything may refer to the [[universe]] or the world.
The Universe is most commonly defined as everything that physically exists: the entirety of [[space and time]], all forms of [[matter]], [[energy]] and [[momentum]], and the physical [[law]]s and constants that govern them. However, the term "universe" may be used in slightly different [[context]]ual senses, denoting such [[concepts]] as the [[cosmos]], the world or [[Nature]]. According to some speculations, this universe may be one of many disconnected universes, which are collectively denoted as the [[multiverse]]. In one theory, there is an [[infinite]] variety of universes, each with different physical constants. In another theory, new universes are spawned with every quantum measurement. By definition, these speculations cannot currently be tested [[experiment]]ally, yet, if they exist, they would still be part of everything.
Especially in a metaphysical context, World may refer to everything that constitutes [[reality]] and the [[Universe]]: see World (philosophy). However, world may "only" refer to [[Earth]] envisioned from an anthropocentric or human [[worldview]], as a place inhabited by [[human being]]s. It is often used to signify the sum of human [[experience]] and [[history]], or the "[[human condition]]" in general.[2]
==In theoretical physics==
In theoretical physics, a theory of everything ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_everything TOE]) is a hypothetical theory that fully explains and links together all known physical [[phenomena]]. Initially, the term was used with an [[ironic]] connotation to refer to various overgeneralized theories. For example, a great-grandfather of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijon_Tichy Ijon Tichy] — a character from a cycle of Stanisław Lem's [[science fiction]] stories of 1960s — was known to work on the "General Theory of Everything". Over time, the term stuck in popularizations of quantum [[physics]] to describe a theory that would unify or explain through a single [[model]] the theories of all fundamental interactions of [[nature]].
There have been many theories of everything proposed by theoretical physicists over the last century, but none have been confirmed experimentally. The primary problem in producing a TOE is that the accepted theories of [[quantum mechanics]] and [[Relativity|general relativity]] are hard to combine.
Based on theoretical [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_principle holographic principle] [[arguments]] from the 1990s, many physicists believe that 11-dimensional M-theory, which is described in many sectors by matrix [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstring_theory string theory], and in many other sectors by perturbative string theory, is the complete theory of everything. Other physicists disagree.
==In philosophy==
In philosophy, a theory of everything or TOE is an ultimate, all-encompassing explanation of nature or reality.[3][4][5] Adopting the term from [[physics]], where the search for a theory of everything is ongoing, philosophers have discussed the viability of the [[concept]] and [[analyzed]] its properties and implications.[3][4][5] Among the questions to be addressed by a philosophical theory of everything are: "Why is reality understandable?" "Why are the laws of nature as they are?" "Why is there anything at all?"[3]
==Further reading==
Church Dogmatics III/3, pp. 389–368, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Barth Karl Barth]
[http://www.pentapublishing.com/ In Search of a Cyclops], Fredrick Schermer
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Bergson Creative Evolution, Henri Bergson], Chapter IV
==References==
# "everything". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
# "This is the excellent foppery of the world..." — Shakespeare, King Lear, I.ii
# Rescher, Nicholas (2006a). "Holistic Explanation and the Idea of a Grand Unified Theory". Collected Papers IX: Studies in Metaphilosophy.
# Rescher, Nicholas (2006b). "The Price of an Ultimate Theory". Collected Papers IX: Studies in Metaphilosophy.
# Walker, Mark Alan (March 2002). "Prolegomena to Any Future Philosophy". Journal of Evolution and Technology Vol. 10.
[[Category: Physics]]
[[Category: Philosophy]]
