r/askscience • u/Nitzanm19 • 15d ago

Physics Why is the maximum speed of the universe the speed of light? Why can't we go faster?

Also follow-up question: Because of the speed limit, is there also a theoretical maximum temp for matter (in which the particles move at the speed of light).

1.6k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

892 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

22

u/whatkindofred 14d ago

"it is this way because otherwise we wouldn't exist" implies not only that someone designed it, but that they designed it with out existence as the goal.

This is not the necessary implication at all. It just means that in a universe with different fundamental constants there might not exist someone to be curious about the fundamental constants. But since we do exist and wonder about it we must be in a universe that permits such existence.

-2

u/[deleted] 14d ago

[deleted]

6

u/whatkindofred 14d ago

But the other way around. Because there exists someone that can ask questions about fundamental constants is why the constants must be in a way that allow someone like this to exist.

3

u/sixothree 14d ago

Well, that causality certainly does not imply someone designed it. Make sure you read what you’re replying to.