- #1
tom aaron
- 124
- 38
Potential for infinity?
According to Inflation theory, (Big Bang type models)
The observable Universe can be measured. We put a specific size on space/time of 13.8 billion years based on expansion from some Singularity.
My question. When we speak of 'infinity' are we speaking about infinity being the size of space or is infinity the 'potential' size/age the Universe will become?
Another approach. We draw a line and say it goes on to infinity. We then put a point on the line. Is the current size of the Universe at 'that' point on the line (13.8 billion years) or is it Infinity? In future, a hundred billion years or a trillion, we can move that point along the line but it is always 'finite'.
We can say something goes on forever 'in theory' but can it only be as old/ big as whatever space/time is 'now'? We can say something 'will' expand forever (infinity) but this doesn't me it has 'already' expanded forever. Can something with a current finite size be infinite? Is Infinity always a 'potential' but not the reality at any current moment?
According to Inflation theory, (Big Bang type models)
The observable Universe can be measured. We put a specific size on space/time of 13.8 billion years based on expansion from some Singularity.
My question. When we speak of 'infinity' are we speaking about infinity being the size of space or is infinity the 'potential' size/age the Universe will become?
Another approach. We draw a line and say it goes on to infinity. We then put a point on the line. Is the current size of the Universe at 'that' point on the line (13.8 billion years) or is it Infinity? In future, a hundred billion years or a trillion, we can move that point along the line but it is always 'finite'.
We can say something goes on forever 'in theory' but can it only be as old/ big as whatever space/time is 'now'? We can say something 'will' expand forever (infinity) but this doesn't me it has 'already' expanded forever. Can something with a current finite size be infinite? Is Infinity always a 'potential' but not the reality at any current moment?