Space-Time (The Final Frontier)

So I've been thinking about Theoretical Physics today after watching a lecture by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.  Here are my philosophical musings and thoughts on the matter of space-time and a Theory of Everything.

In the 20th century Einstein introduced the concept of space-time to the world as a four dimensional cohesion of the three dimensions of space and the single dimension of time. Now these are the only dimensions which have been observed so far so lets settle for them instead of the ones posited by String Theory. So what is space-time? Most people consider it the stage for all of the Universe to take place on. However, whenever one considers cosmology, one is necessarily confronted with the idea of space-time itself being generated along with the Universe whenever it began. Suppose that the Big Bang is the correct model for the origin of the Universe (instead of the cyclic theory for instance, just for the sake of simplicity). After the Big Bang, space-time itself stretched, while the matter in this space-time blew outwards. The actual space had to stretch for there to be room for the expansion of objects in the Universe. It is meaningless to ask what is outside of this space-time because by definition there is nothing, at least nothing describable by Physics (or the Physics in our Universe). Space-time, in this classical way of thinking, is essentially the framework for the physical laws of nature and the substances (matter, energy, etc) contained therein.

Now lets talk for a moment about mathematical frameworks. Whenever one creates a mathematical framework assumptions have to be made and certain things must be included in order to obtain the desired end. Theoretical Physicists seek to create a mathematical framework which accurately reflects our Universe and can be used to make predictions about events. To do this we have to choose our assumptions so that the observed phenomena of our Universe could actually take place in our framework. For instance our framework has to be able to support trajectories of different objects because these exist in our Universe. The goal is to create a mathematical framework which is supported by reality.

Here is where it gets interesting. It is demonstrable that a mathematical framework which represents space-time can be devised which is more than simply a backdrop for events in our Universe. If proper assumptions and parameters are chosen then the force of gravity can be shown to be a natural property of space-time itself. This has wide ranging implications. What if gravity is not just an exception? Could everything that exists in the Universe (matter, energy, forces, laws, etc.) simply be a natural consequence of this thing called space-time, which was previously assumed to be merely a setting for events to happen and things to exist? This is the question which has garnered my attention after being introduced to the idea that maybe our physical laws are not immutable, but instead temporal. If this were the case then our physical laws are essentially dependent on space-time and can be used to extrapolate its properties. The Theory of Everything could be nothing more than a description of this thing we call space-time from which everything that exists in the Universe is generated.

I am convinced that space-time itself is integral to our understanding of the Universe and uniting the divide between General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. The Theory of Everything may be an unobtainable goal but it is certainly worthy of interest. For it is in the pursuit of knowledge that the scientist finds true intellectual satisfaction.