\[ **BT: [[matter and energy]]** ] --- # the cosmos > ‘The cosmos \[…] is an alternative name for the universe or its nature or order. Usage of the word cosmos implies viewing the universe as a complex and orderly system or entity.’[^1] [[Scientific cosmology is the study of the universe via astronomy and physics. It has significant cultural impact from an anthropological viewpoint.]][^2] [[Scientific definitions of cosmology range from narrow to broad.]][^3] - related: [[society#cosmology|cosmology (anthropological/societal)]] ## structure and properties of the universe ### dark matter [[Dark matter is matter we cannot explain; dark energy is energy we cannot explain. It is mysterious because it is unknown.]][^4] ### origin and development of the universe #### modern cosmologies ##### Anthropic principle [[Anthropic cosmology posits the universe is the way it is for the purposes of harbouring observers (us, intelligent life).]][^5] [^1]: ‘Cosmos’, Wikipedia, last edited 16 March 2025, 16:54 (UTC), <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos>. [^2]: Nicholas Campion, ‘[[Campion, ‘The Importance of Cosmology in Culture’, 2017|The Importance of Cosmology in Culture: Contexts and Consequences]]’, in *Trends in Modern Cosmology*, ed. Abraao Jesse Capistrano De Souza (InTech, 2017), p. 3, <https://doi.org/10.5772/67976>. [^3]: Nicholas Campion, ‘[[Campion, ‘The Importance of Cosmology in Culture’, 2017|The Importance of Cosmology in Culture: Contexts and Consequences]]’, in *Trends in Modern Cosmology*, ed. Abraao Jesse Capitstrano De Souza (InTech, 2017), p. 4, <https://doi.org/10.5772/67976>. [^4]: Merlin Sheldrake, [[Sheldrake, Entangled Life, 2021|Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures]] (Vintage, 2021), p. 19. [^5]: Carlos A. Marmelada, ‘[[Marmelada, ‘John Barrow and the Anthropic Cosmological Principle’, n.d.|John Barrow and the Anthropic Cosmological Principle]]’, *Group Science, Reason and Faith* (Universidad de Navarra, n.d.), accessed 28 July 2024, <https://en.unav.edu/web/ciencia-razon-y-fe/john-barrow-y-el-principio-cosmologico-antropico>.