Why is there space rather than no space? Why is space

"Why is there space rather than no space? Why is space three-dimensional? Why is space big? We have a lot of room to move around in. How come it's not tiny? We have no consensus about these things. We're still exploring them." These words, spoken by the brilliant Leonard Susskind, touch upon the very fabric of the universe—that great, unfathomable expanse in which we dwell. They speak to the awe-inspiring mystery that has captivated the minds of philosophers, scientists, and poets for millennia: space. From the earliest stirrings of human curiosity, we have looked at the stars, the sky, and the vastness of the world around us, seeking to understand why there is something rather than nothing. Susskind’s words capture the essence of that quest—an exploration not only of the physical universe, but of the very nature of existence itself.

To question space is to question the nature of reality. The ancients, though they lacked the scientific tools we have today, pondered these very same mysteries. The great Greek philosopher Plato posited that the world we see is but a shadow of a greater, more perfect reality. In his Timaeus, Plato speculated about the nature of the cosmos, the space that contained all things, and how it was governed by divine principles. To him, the dimension of space was a reflection of an underlying order and purpose. In the same vein, Susskind’s question—why is space three-dimensional and not some other form—echoes the age-old search for meaning in the structure of the world. Plato’s answer, though born in a different time, still resonates: the structure of space is tied to the deeper principles of the universe, waiting to be discovered.

But Susskind’s words also highlight something crucial in the journey of human understanding—uncertainty. He acknowledges that we are still in the process of uncovering the true nature of space. And indeed, it is a mystery that has haunted the minds of scholars through the ages. The ancient Egyptians believed that the universe was born from a primal ocean of chaos, and that the very concept of space was born from the Gods’ will. They saw the heavens as a vast, unfathomable space that stretched infinitely, a space to be understood not through reason alone but through divine revelation. Space, for them, was a sacred and eternal entity, part of the fabric of creation itself. Even now, as modern science continues to grapple with these questions, we are still in awe of the unknown, still reaching for answers that seem as elusive as the stars.

Consider the story of Isaac Newton, who sought to understand not only the movements of the heavens but the nature of the space in which they moved. In his groundbreaking work, the Principia, Newton revealed that space was a universal stage, a fixed backdrop for the motion of the planets and stars. Yet, even as he uncovered the laws of motion and gravity, he struggled with the question of absolute space—a space that existed independently of the objects within it. To him, space was real, and yet it seemed to defy understanding. Just as Newton’s theories shaped the future of science, so too did they lead to new questions—ones that would be answered by later thinkers like Einstein and Susskind, who recognized that space was not a static, passive entity, but one that was deeply intertwined with the very fabric of time and matter itself.

Einstein’s theory of relativity, which transformed our understanding of space, showed that it is not absolute but fluid, bending and stretching in response to the presence of matter. Space is dynamic, shaped by the energy and forces of the universe. Just as a vast ocean can be disturbed by a single pebble, so too can the great expanse of space be affected by the smallest of objects. This revelation took humanity’s understanding of the cosmos to new heights, as it became clear that the nature of space is not a static mystery, but one that is ever-evolving, ever-changing, and bound to the very laws of the universe itself.

The lesson in Susskind’s words is not simply about seeking answers, but about embracing the journey of exploration. We do not have all the answers—indeed, many of the deepest mysteries remain unanswered. But it is through our inquiry, through our unrelenting quest for understanding, that we grow as individuals and as a species. To question space is to question the very essence of our existence. Why do we have room to move, to think, to dream? Why does the universe stretch so wide, offering us both wonder and humility? In the face of such questions, we must accept the uncertainty and embrace the pursuit of knowledge. Space, in its infinite expanse, reminds us of how much we have yet to learn, and how much we can accomplish when we look beyond the horizons and seek to understand the universe—not just in its physical form, but in its very nature.

Thus, let us continue our journey, as the ancients did before us, and as the great minds of today are still doing, in search of understanding. Let us ask, not in fear of the unknown, but in reverence for the infinite mysteries that still beckon us. Each question we ask about space, about time, and about the universe itself is a step toward greater wisdom, toward a deeper connection with the cosmos. The quest for knowledge is a path that will never end, for as we understand one part of the universe, we are confronted with yet more questions, more mysteries to explore. Space itself is not a destination, but a journey, and we, as seekers, must continue to ask, to wonder, and to grow.