Simplest Understanding of the Universe

[JeremyL]

I'm not smart and know nothing of cosmology or physics but I seek an understanding of reality. I'm looking for the simplest explanation for the universe I can find so that I actually understand it. Is the following factual at all?

The universe is constantly changing physical matter and energy.

This matter and energy occupies space and changes over time.

Therefore, the universe is matter/energy occupying space/time.

However, sometimes the matter and energy that we perceive appears to exist in a non-random form.

This is illustrated by the sight of a whole spiral galaxy.

To explain this phenomenon, we created the physical/scientific laws of the universe.

Therefore, the overall universe, as far as we currently know, is the following:

Physical matter/energy occupying space/time subject to natural physical/scientific laws.

 

[bapowell]

I wouldn't say we "create" physical law. The universe behaves as it does and we observe it. It *tells* us what the laws are.

 

[JeremyL]

I wouldn't say we "create" physical law. The universe behaves as it does and we observe it. It *tells* us what the laws are.

Right, but we created the analytic statements via language which we think best describe how the universe seems to behave through our observation.

 

[ThomasT]

I'm not smart and know nothing of cosmology or physics but I seek an understanding of reality. I'm looking for the simplest explanation for the universe I can find so that I actually understand it.

This will be difficult (probably impossible) since even very very smart people with decades of training and experience in physics and cosmology don't claim to understand our universe ('reality').

If you just want "an understanding" of reality, then that's easy ... everybody has that. It's what enables you to successfully navigate the world of your experience. However if you want to "actually understand" reality in some sort of generalized objective sense, then, afaik, nobody has that (though lots of talented people are working on it). The thing is that, apparently, there's lots of stuff going on outside of, or underlying and fundamental wrt, our direct and instrumentally augmented sensory apprehension of our universe (of reality).

Nevertheless, you can learn (at least some of ... maybe a lot of) what cosmologists and astrophysicists and physicists have learned and have to say about our universe.

You might make it a hobby to read stuff posted at PF and similar sites. Read some textbooks. Read some journal articles. Etc. If you stick with it, then you'll be increasingly fascinated.

 

[sardar]

Your understanding of the universe is a good start, but it is important to note that it is a very simplified explanation. The universe is a complex and constantly evolving system that cannot be fully understood with a simple explanation. I would encourage you to continue learning about cosmology and physics to gain a deeper understanding of the universe.

In terms of the content you have provided, it is mostly factual. The universe is indeed made up of matter and energy, and it does occupy space and change over time. However, it is important to note that there are many different types of matter and energy, and they interact with each other in complex ways. Additionally, the concept of space and time is also more complex than it may seem. The laws of the universe, while created by humans, are based on observations and experiments that help us understand the patterns and behaviors of the universe.

It is also worth mentioning that the example of a spiral galaxy is just one small aspect of the universe. There are countless other phenomena and structures that exist in the universe, and studying them helps us gain a more complete understanding.

In summary, while your understanding of the universe is a good starting point, it is important to continue learning and exploring to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding.