origins

Origins refers to the beginning or source of something—its cause, ancestry, or starting point. The term is used across disciplines to describe how events unfold, how phenomena arise, and where something comes from; it also appears in everyday speech as a question about provenance.

In the sciences, origins are studied by modeling processes that precede present states. In cosmology, the origin of the universe is attributed to the Big Bang, about 13.8 billion years ago, followed by expansion and the formation of matter and cosmic structures. In biology, ongoing research into abiogenesis seeks plausible pathways by which life could have arisen from nonliving chemistry on the early Earth; no consensus has been achieved. The origin of species is explained through evolution by natural selection and descent with modification, supported by the fossil record and comparative genetics.

In the humanities, origins also concern language and culture. Etymology traces the origins of words through time and across language families. Archaeology and linguistics study the origins of peoples, societies, and languages, often incorporating genetic and cultural evidence. Many cultures preserve origin myths—narratives that describe how humans, the world, or a nation began—to provide shared identity and moral frameworks.

Methodologically, origins are inferred from evidence, models, and historical reconstruction. The interpretation can be contingent on available data and theoretical assumptions, and new discoveries may revise established timelines or relationships.

Beyond specifics, the concept of origins raises questions about causality, time, and contingency, influencing science, philosophy, and religion as different frameworks for understanding beginnings.