Abstract

The observations which are compatible with temporal origins of the earth, the solar system and the universe are briefly mentioned, prior to examining the assumptions implicit in the hypothesis of temporal origin which the observations were designed to test. No decisive observation enables us to distinguish between theories of a temporal origin of the universe and the theories of infinite time (continuous creation); the aspects of the galaxies offer no test of either theory without invoking additional assumptions. Curvature of time is rejected as being a complication at present scientifically unnecessary, as is also the hypothesis of continuous creation. The view maintained is that the temporal theory based on linear extrapolation is acceptable until it be disproved. Various new techniques which may be useful in attempting to refute this theory are discussed.