Final answer:
The universe likely originated with the Big Bang event, a rapid expansion of space itself that occurred approximately 13.7 billion years ago, marking the beginning of the universe's evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The universe likely originated with the Big Bang event. According to current cosmological models and the Big Bang Cosmological Theory, the universe began roughly 13.7 billion years ago not as a traditional explosion but as a rapid expansion of space itself. This idea is supported by evidence such as the cosmic background radiation and the observed expansion of the universe.
The early universe was characterized by being hot and dense. Philosophical arguments alongside scientific evidence point towards a definable beginning of the universe, with the Big Bang Theory postulating that there was indeed a commencement. This event marked the start of the evolution of the universe, which is closely tied to the laws of physics, particularly those of particle physics at the earliest stages.
Georges Lemaître, a Belgian priest and cosmologist, was one of the first to propose the Big Bang model, where he described all matter in the universe starting in what he called the primeval atom, which then fragmented into smaller parts, eventually becoming the atoms of the current universe. This theory has shaped our understanding of the universe's beginnings and is continually being refined as new observations and scientific advancements are made.