--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The initial configuration of the universe…" description: "\"The initial configuration of the universe may have been chosen by God, or it may itself have been determined by the laws of science. In either case, it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab4/stephen-hawking-389_biology_the-initial-configuration-of-the-univers_1512964.jpg" --- # The initial configuration of the universe may have been… ![“The initial configuration of the universe may have been chosen by God, or it may itself have been determined by the laws of science. In either case, it would seem that everything in the universe would then be determined by evolution according to the laws of science, so it is difficult to see how…” quote by Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab4/stephen-hawking-389_biology_the-initial-configuration-of-the-univers_1512964.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab4/stephen-hawking-389_biology_the-initial-configuration-of-the-univers_1512964.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab4/stephen-hawking-389_biology_the-initial-configuration-of-the-univers_1512964.jpg) > “The initial configuration of the universe may have been chosen by God, or it may itself have been determined by the laws of science. In either case, it would seem that everything in the universe would then be determined by evolution according to the laws of science, so it is difficult to see how we can be masters of our fate.” [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote explores whether the universe’s initial conditions are set by a deity or by scientific laws, questioning human agency over fate. **In simple terms:** It questions if God or science set the universe and our control. Key Takeaway Consider limits of free will. Themes philosophy science determinism Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic debate - personal reflection Key Concepts cosmology free will theology Questions to Reflect On - Do you think fate is predetermined? - Can science explain origin fully? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Chosen by god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chosen-by-god/) [Determined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Free will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [The large-scale homogeneity of the universe makes it very difficult to believe that the structure of the universe is determined by anything so peripheral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/the-large-scale-homogeneity-of-the-universe-makes-it-very-difficult/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [This equation of the impersonal plus time plus chance producing the total configuration of the universe and all that is in it, modern people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-schaeffer/this-equation-of-the-impersonal-plus-time-plus-chance-producing-the/) [Francis Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-schaeffer/) > [Communistic evolution, according to the Senate committee that examined it, is responsible for 135 million deaths in peacetime. 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