Stephen Hawking was a brilliant theoretical physicist who made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe, particularly in the fields of cosmology and black holes. However, it's important to note that scientific ideas are not accepted or rejected based on the personal circumstances or physical abilities of the scientists who propose them.
When Hawking discussed the concept of the universe creating itself, he was referring to his work on theoretical models, such as the Hartle-Hawking state, which attempts to explain the origins of the universe without the need for a traditional "initial singularity." This work is based on complex mathematical and theoretical frameworks derived from the laws of physics.
Scientific theories are evaluated based on their internal consistency, how well they align with observational and experimental evidence, and their ability to make accurate predictions. Hawking's ideas were developed through rigorous mathematical analysis and were subject to scrutiny and review by the scientific community.
It's important to separate the scientific ideas from the personal circumstances of the scientists themselves. Stephen Hawking's physical condition did not invalidate his scientific contributions or the validity of his ideas. The scientific community evaluates theories based on evidence and logical reasoning, and the acceptance or rejection of ideas is determined by the strength of that evidence and reasoning, not by the personal circumstances of the scientists involved.