Physical Laws and The Universe

[B. de Corbin]

Since I tend to live mostly in the physical universe, I am not surprised to discover that most things have a physical explanation.

That does not exclude the possibility that some things do not have a physical explanation.

So - my question is:

Does the universe function solely on the basis of physical laws, or is there something else at work?

[Ophidia]

I'm inclined to say that the Universe operates on theories that we currently understand and develop. We may, as time goes by, find new ways of explaining how the Universe works.

In other words, just because we can't see/hear/feel/taste/sense it right now, it doesn't mean we won't be able to in the future.

[anunitu]

I feel there is "something else" mainly because even with science,it seems to me(feelings) that there is a natural energy that permeates everything and I think we can tap into this energy. We can't perhaps pin down the actual nature of the energy,but I think we can feel(detect) the energy all around us.

[Madness]

I picked the first one, though my thoughts are more in line with perzephone. The universe operates under physical laws. We have a best guess as to what those are right now, but our knowledge and understanding is constantly changing. Will we ever know exactly what's going on out there? I actually don't think we will. But that doesn't mean there is anything supernatural. I've never actually understood that term. If it happens in the universe, how is it not natural? How is it above nature? It's just part of the universe.

There are plenty of physics theories (NOT metaphysics theories) that talk about a kind of universal energy that ties everything together. Energy work, psychics, numinous experiences, etc, have the potential to be explained by accepted physics. I just don't see how it's supernatural. And just because it can be explained by physics doesn't mean it's any less awe inspiring or 'magical' or special.

Just my opinion of course!

[anunitu]

In thinking about things,consider Music and its physical effects on us.the music starts,and we just can't help but start moving.
I have read something(don't remember the source) that our bodies actually resonate and vibrate to music.

[B. de Corbin]

I pick solely on the basis of physical laws. The physical laws are descriptions of reality as we are capable of observing and understanding it. As far as WE are concerned, that's all there is. The more we can learn, the bigger the universe gets, and the better able we become to sort out, clean up, fine tune, revise, toss out mistakes. That's why I can be a pantheist and a hard core materialist, and still feel entirely comfortable exploring the less "conventional" bits of what might be real and might not.