On Thu, May 26, 2011 at 8:53 PM, Tod Hansmann <[email protected]> wrote: > While I don't speak for any cosmologists or physicists or the like, I > will say that the definition of "infinite" and how we might perceive > such a thing in relation to how we perceive the universe currently, is > in my opinion a much more important thought than the answer to "is the > universe infinite" could ever provide. It's like asking "does the > universe go on forever?" What exactly are you measuring in the answer > for "forever" when that is an ambiguous concept based on our own limited > perceptions of how space might be laid out at the current time?
If the Universe is infinite how could it be expanding. An object of infinite size is already at maximum, and can therefore not expand any larger. An object that is expanding is getting larger, therefore is not yet at infinite size. Based on the evidence that the Universe is expanding, I think the Universe is not infinite by reason of this logic. On 5/26/2011 7:39 PM, Michael Torrie wrote: > For the Jakes on the list, do cosmologists agree that the universe is > not infinite in size? Just wondering. While my own personal religious > beliefs accommodate almost all of science currently, from some sort of > big bang to evolution, it does not handle an infinite universe and its > implications. For an infinitely-sized universe means there's another > earth just like ours out there, with another Stuart, though he's a Tea > Party advocate there. I'm going to assume you have a religion that is at least similar to the popular ones of today. Therefore from what I understand, most religions believe in the existence of a "soul". This "soul" is unique. So even in an infinite universe, an exact genetic copy of Stuart would contain a different soul. I don't see how this could really conflict with religion. I've never heard of a mainstream religion that has a problem with genetic copies (see twins). Also consider that God's infinite power is capable of creating infinite unique souls, which I don't think is a problem in mainstream religions. Based on all this, I don't see how a religion could have a problem with an infinite Universe. Now this all breaks down if your religion doesn't fit my assumptions, sorry if this assumption has offended you. Though the idea of an identical Stuart does seem frightening, I can understand why you wouldn't want to believe that. :) --lonnie /* PLUG: http://plug.org, #utah on irc.freenode.net Unsubscribe: http://plug.org/mailman/options/plug Don't fear the penguin. */
