[Profpat]

Hi everyone;

Recently I have been researching as to whether the universe is finite or infinite. My research on the internet has yielded both results. While I'm open to both possibilities, I would like to know the answer.
Is the jury still out on this one, or is there proof of one or the other.

Best to all,

Profpat

[mkirkpatrick]

Thanks Profat,it is absolutely impossible to prove it either way,however we each accept
the concept that suits us,for me all is boundless and eternal,which also means no beginning or ending,our minds can sometimes find this concept difficult to grasp,as we on the surface live in the relative universe,(where things happen,and start and finish)whereas
in our inner lives,we exist in the eternal now,where nothing ever happens!



regards michael.

[bottomlander]

Either a finite or infinite universe has some problems need to be solved.

The trouble becomes more head scratching when we need to think about one whole universe, cyclic universe, multi-verse or hierarchial universes. Each of such kind of universes need to think about whether it is finite or infinite.

Best Regards. Bottomlander

[N0B0DY]

I don't think it has to be all that complicated. Regardless of the model, if the proposition is that it literally exists, it requires a surrounding space. Just like someone standing in a spot requires a surrounding space to stand in.

If the universe requires a surrounding space to exist in, and the surrounding space is logically part of the universe, then the universe must be infinite.

A finite universe is an absolute impossibility.

[Profpat]

OK, what about this. Maybe its a paradox like the wave/particle duality where its both.
In other words maybe the universe is finitely infinite, or better infinitely finite.
Aristotle catorgories of essential, potential and actual might help.
Essentially, the universe is infinite it wants to constantly expand to infinity; potentially, it has the potential to become infinite ( no boundries ), but actually its finite. If you took a picture of the universe at a moment in time, its finite.
Then again maybe I'm wrong.

Profpat

So maybe this old universe of ours is more mysterious than I thought. Maybe it refuses to be pigeon holed. Well good for it.

[austintorn@aol.com]

Is the universe finite or infinite?

If the universe is now finite and its influence is growing and traveling at whatever rate it travels, it can never reach that which can never be reached (the definition of infinity).

If the universe is now finite and its influence is quantum-like and not further divisible, then its influence—that which defines space and existence itself—will end. There is no beyond of exixtence. Non-existence, by definition, can’t exist.

Either way, it is not infinite.

Is the universe already infinite? Again, can’t get there.

Just an opinion.

[N0B0DY]

Following your logic, Prof, I think we would have to ask what would prevent a finite universe from expanding infinitely. If we propose a low-temperature boundary, then we are forced to reckon with the infinite pressure of the culminative effects of that low temperature. The mechanics don't make a bit of sense anyway; if we propose that nothing prevents the expansion, we are placing actual existence inside non-existence; and I don't think potential and infinite because potential implies a position whereby it would take an eternity to become infinite. There has to be an a priori infinity of which finite measurements can be extracted, and your picture analogy would explain that perfectly.

The fourth dimension of time/motion/gravity offsets the expansion of 3-d space. Any absolute point, or picture, is caused by photons (forward time) meeting gravitons (backward time). The difference in speed allows for incremental time, and allows for observable snapshots.

[mkirkpatrick]

Originally Posted by N0B0DY I don't think it has to be all that complicated. Regardless of the model, if the proposition is that it literally exists, it requires a surrounding space. Just like someone standing in a spot requires a surrounding space to stand in. If the universe requires a surrounding space to exist in, and the surrounding space is logically part of the universe, then the universe must be infinite. A finite universe is an absolute impossibility.

Just a brief word to say thanks for that Nobody,I agree wholeheartedly.


warm regards michael.

[Lloyd Gillespie]

Is there even any linguistic ability to define the differences between an unbounded finiteness, and infinity? I think not...

Lloyd

[Aireal]

Good Topic
I feel that we live in a finite universe that exists within infinite space, and that there may be an infinite number of other finite universes within it.
At least that is the way I interpret the evidence.

Charles