With your examples about the mirrors, you may not see the reflection, but, it does continue forever, you don't have to see something to make it there.
A conundrum if you will.
- Thread starter Alipax
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You're confusing the perception of something with its concept. Of course you can't perceive infinity, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Someone else explained already about the universe, time and mathematics, but keep in mind that the former two are only theories. But you're right about mirrors in a way, but the reason is different:
As you know, the picture that's reflected in the mirror gets smaller from time to time because of the distance between the mirrors. Sooner or later, there comes a point where the picture would be so small that it's not big enough to be reflected by the material of the mirror.
But there's an example for infinity that is way simpler: Take a circle.
As you know, the picture that's reflected in the mirror gets smaller from time to time because of the distance between the mirrors. Sooner or later, there comes a point where the picture would be so small that it's not big enough to be reflected by the material of the mirror.
But there's an example for infinity that is way simpler: Take a circle.
There are examples of infinity like time has no really begin or end that we can discern. Things can be infinite and I do have some example of describing infiting but I am just after getting up. You may of heard of it and eagle earth is a giant ball of steel?
If you mean that the human mind cannot fully comprehend infinity, than yes. If you mean it actually doesn't exist, than you're absolutely wrong.
If the universe is expanding, to use your same example, then there must be infinite space out there in which it can expand. In your mirror example, it still reflects infinitely, we just can't see that far. But infinity does exist, regardless of our ability to fully understand it.
If the universe is expanding, to use your same example, then there must be infinite space out there in which it can expand. In your mirror example, it still reflects infinitely, we just can't see that far. But infinity does exist, regardless of our ability to fully understand it.
Basic mathematics makes your idea irrelevant. For most of what we know to be true in maths, not least the very basis of the entire field of calculus (vital in so many ways), infinity must exit. Even if it's only as an idea, it still exists. Without infinity, the very basis of most of our science and maths, and the basic laws of the universe, would be false.
How about human stupidity? Every time you think you saw the stupidest thing ever, some idiot comes and proves you wrong. Also wrong on the account of mirror reflection - you can look from an angle that isn't blocked by your body, not that you would actually see infinity seeing as how human eyesight is quite limited.
(And no infinity is not a big number, it is something without an end, like terran marine's ammo - he keeps shooting zerg but he never runs out of ammo...(if he survives that long) thus he has infinite ammo, and its quite easy to see that)
(And no infinity is not a big number, it is something without an end, like terran marine's ammo - he keeps shooting zerg but he never runs out of ammo...(if he survives that long) thus he has infinite ammo, and its quite easy to see that)
Konaerix said:
Actually you're both wrong, there are many orders of infinity, the first of which is called Aleph0 - the amount of integers, the next infinity which is infinitely larger than Aleph0 is Aleph (or Aleph1) - the amount of real numbers, and there are infact infinite orders of infinite, so there are infinite infinities... bottom line even infinity can get bigger.Lineoutt said:
Concerning adumb24's and larsirus' comments time did have a beginning. The big Bang that is when time started so nothing happened before the big bang but this also means that if the universe ends time will stop so nothing will happen after it that truly will be the end. Nothing can happen without time so. Now I believe in infinity non time wise as in numbers and such.
bah, time is relative. i highly doubt any other earth bound species looks at a clock and says "its 6 pm! i must be going to get nuts!" the only reason time may be infinite is because a lot of people want to believe that every moment in time still exists so we can time travel.adumb24 said:
Philosophy is awesome. I think that's nuff' said.
As with most big philosophical questions, I have to both agree and disagree with you. You see, in the event of the mirror scenario, infinity did exist before we stuck our big stupid heads into the loop.
Now to start a flame war: One could believe that a higher power has disabled humanity to ever see infinity, as it would probably blow our minds. Literally.
Note: I'm not a religious person, and I am in no way trying to preach the idea I stated before.
As with most big philosophical questions, I have to both agree and disagree with you. You see, in the event of the mirror scenario, infinity did exist before we stuck our big stupid heads into the loop.
Now to start a flame war: One could believe that a higher power has disabled humanity to ever see infinity, as it would probably blow our minds. Literally.
Note: I'm not a religious person, and I am in no way trying to preach the idea I stated before.
That depeneds on you definition of 'the Universe' if you say the universe is:The sphere or realm in which something exists or takes place. The yes, your example is true because all that exists is constantly expanding. But if your talking about the total space, which is the space currently containing matter and the space currently not containing matter. The no this example is not true.Alipax said: