The Troublesome Singularity

Abstract

According to the big bang theory, the universe began as a singularity, a nucleus of infinite density that had zero dimensions. We sometimes refer to it as the “primordial egg.” The problems we have discussed so far—the origin of structure, the horizon and flatness problems, and so on—are all insignificant when compared to the problems associated with this singularity. To understand the singularity we must first understand what caused it, and where it came from. Is this possible? A few years ago most scientists would have said no, but today there is an air of optimism.