Regius Professor of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Lee Cronin argues that time is fundamental but space is not:
The problem with a universe in which time is frozen is that it requires four assumptions to be made. The first is that the origin of the universe is required to be almost perfectly ordered at the Big Bang. The second is that the second law of thermodynamics must emerge from this order at the beginning. The third is that time must be an emergent property. Finally, causality itself must be emergent. We have no reason to believe any of these assumptions are correct, but all four of these assumptions can be replaced with just one, more intuitive claim: that time is fundamental. Fundamental time removes the need for order at the Big Bang, it removes the need for an explicit second law of thermodynamics or for causality itself to emerge. Generally speaking, a theory is stronger the fewer assumptions it needs to make. That is the great advantage of time fundamentalism. Moreover, seeing time as fundamental has the advantage that it tallies with our own experience. – Lee Cronin (February 28, 2023)
Many folks in physics sure don’t like the Big Bang.
One problem is that if time existed before the Big Bang, it either came into existence separately from space or it is a past eternity. But a past eternity is, unfortunately, the dreaded Hilbert’s Hotel.
You may also wish to read: The Big Bang: Put simply,the facts are wrong.