Who else finds the concept of infinity unnerving?

Question

Whenever I think about the universe, I cannot escape the concept that the dimensions are infinite - both in size and in time. I agree there must be a finite amount of matter in the universe. But if you took all of that matter out you're still left with an infinite void we call space.

I also cannot imagine the universe ever being created. I believe that the finite amount of matter in the universe has always been the same number but has existed in different mediums - i.e. gas, solid or liquid. The altering states of matter occur because of big bangs - which are just an infinite series of chain reactions. All of this has been going on forever and there has never been a beginning.

But this infinity means there could not have been a creator. If there was no creator then we're here by accident. We weren't created for purpose. When the end of the world comes, it won't matter. Maybe it's this lack of meaning/purpose which is unnerving for me?

Could this ever be proved? How could we prove whether our universe is infinite with our finite resources?

Does anyone else know what I mean?

P.S. I do not believe in God and I am not interested in spiritualism or religion. If I believe in anything it is science. But when it comes to the Universe, science becomes fanciful and doesn't seem to answer any of the real mysteries. Scientists use complex mathematical equations to explain the universe and have theories that can never be proved or disproven.

Answer 1

For me, infinity is such an overwhelming concept, I cannot grasp its full ramifications

Answer 2

Infinity is quite a paradox and has little to do with the actual states of things. Even when you use a finity you can make that into an infinity. Take the numbers 0 and 1 and see that you can make an infinity between them using infinitesimal fractions. Which only proves that infinity is somehow embedded in the things we perceive as fixed and finite. Mathematically the compound from 0-1 is no larger than that from 0-2, or 0-infinite; it's a mere scaling that creates the illusiion of bigger or more.

The idea of infinity used to downright scare me when I was 7 up to 10. I was told that I would go to heaven and sit there with God if I behaved good. I didn't mind that too much but the forever factor made it highly unnerving especially because I thought that everyday would beam the same boring gloriousness. Now at 44 I see that a little different. If you are in infinity, all or not with God, it would likely have infinite variety. And if you are no longer bound by the current dimension you may actually be able to eventually make instantaneous moves. So that leaves you with lots to do and see and discover on an infinite scale, that could and should never be unnerving, scary or boring. Rather stimulating and a real treat compared to the plane, bus, train and car trips we take here. It's a whole different perspective.

As for big bangs and creator stuff, we know jack about how the universe works. We have only just begon taking glimpses at it and cannot pretend that we know anything for real or for sure about it. At the moment we don't even know anymore what is a planet or why something is not a planet even if it was one before. It is how things are from our limited perspective and every now and then we have to adjust these things.

As for purpose, on a scale of infinity we would automatically have infinite purpose. We shouldn't tie ourselves to a single goal, they shift according to the circumstances, our wants and desires. The funny thing is that I think that everything has purpose and there always are reasons for things to be or not to be. Those reasons may not always be clear and or well defined, but I'm pretty sure nothing (and only nothing) happens without a reason or out of purpose.

Answer 3

At least you are thinking and through your thoughts your mind is evolving to another sphere. In fact you may be on the right track but move on. The human being is the only being on this planet that can contemplate the size and extent of the earth let alone the size of the universe, can you imagine a 'cow' inventing a telescope or moitoring the universe through it. This will never happen but man will continue to progress. So, take all human beings off the planet from back to day one of mans existance and what have you left?
If there were no man there would be no reality as no being oher than man can contemplate reality. Now consider what differances would have occured if man had evolved with no eyes. How could he/she look at the stars to question the infinity that your brain distinguishes as real. There is a fine line between realityl and somthing that is not real.

The question then is: do we rally exist or are we locked in a dimension that does not exist; if so, we are not real and there have to be other universes inside the cosmos in a similar situation, unfortunately because the cosmos does not exist neither does our universe or the other universes I mentioned previously

The cosmos will never be truly Measured by man but as you say the boundries are infinite therefore the end of mans journeyinto the Cosmos will be the distance man reaches into space at the end of mans existance (the distance the last man on earth reaches in the life span of man)
That distance will be the boundry between reality and not real and will also provide details of the actual dimensions for science purposes. As far as the creator is concerned we are living inside of our creator (the cosmos)

Answer 4

I can understand the concept of infinity as it relates to a number line. When it comes to understanding the universe as infinite, I try to first understand the concept of a finite universe. If the universe was finite, what exists outside of the universe? The universe must therefore be infinite for my understanding of the world to be complete.

Just like when you look at the number line, there is always another bigger number, so there is always something else outside of your knowledge of a finite universe.

As to the creation of the universe, I do not know the answer for sure. As I do not know the answer, I say that Entropy is the creator of the universe. Some people refer to Entropy as God. I am happy with their desire to believe in one creator. I prefer to believe in existence, and forces outside of my control (which you can call God if you want).

Answer 5

I agree with you. The filled space, or empty space is a concept that only creates more questions with fewer answers. Also, with creation, I've wondered, "Did God know what was going to happen with the things first created?" I wonder was all this advancement in technology meant to happen, are we really supposed to be doing something for GOD and not ourselves as we live out this short and meaningless existance on earth.
I also wonder if when the world does end, God's gonna see all the mistakes and try it again. Maybe giving man less intelligence, or giving it over a longer period time. It seems like man was retarded up until the last 4 or 500 years ago!

I think that the lack of comprehension is what is so unnerving for you. I mean if you could even KINDA compute the amount of space is in space, or the reason why man (and woman!) is on earth, it wouldn't be so...mind-boggling! Like trigonometry. If I understood it even REMOTLEY, hearing the word wouldn't send a chill up my back!

I hope this helps you in your quest for answers!

Answer 6

The concept of Infinity is just that - a concept. Conceived by man, therefore fallible.

Every thing that exists, even concepts, ideas, etc ad infinitum is actually finite. Even this sentence. See?

The Creator cannot be defined. He is beyond the creation (us) to conceive, define or limit.

If you are lacking purpose or meaning. Spend some time alone. Reflect on what if anything really hurt your feelings.

Maybe it was a remark that really angered you. Analyse the cause of your agression. You will find that you felt threatened and chose to protect instead.

That thing, whatever it was, is or is part of your passion.

Develop that passion and gain meaning. It's your life, enjoy it. Cya

Answer 7

I used to have a problem with this until I studied Chaos Theory as part of my BSc in Maths. Don't start with trying to understand this concept of infinity being infinitely BIG, start with a boundary and picture something infinitely SMALL. Studying some of those beautiful computerised Chaos images really helps here, zoom in and further in and further in. When you realise it's possible to have an infinite area in a BOUNDARY you can start to move away, and further away, and the concept begins to make some sense and is less scary!! Imagine that our point in space is a point on one of those amazing images and the universe is our boundary instead of the 2-d boundary on your pc screen or a piece of paper. I wish I could explain it better, but if you can begin to make sense of the whole thing it suddenly 'clicks' and then you can start to consider whether or not the bounded object was created or not. Why worry about your 'purpose'? If our existence if truly an accident then we're truly blessed (not necessarily in a religious sense, but in general) for 'being', and that's your purpose, simply 'to be', so enjoy it and value the gift of life :)
PS When infinity 'clicked' for me I ended up in fits of hysterical giggles, I'm not bonkers, it just made complete sense.

Answer 8

Not at all unnerving.

I can easily grasp the concept of space as infinite.

And in the spiritual sense, as in when I die and go to another life with our Creator... it is wonderful, I can't wait to explore further.

I guess if I had to live this human life inside infinity, I would be seriously unnerved.... since my life has not been easy... so eternal human life holds no pull for me.

If I had no FAITH in God I would likely feel as you do, but I'm lucky, because I've known God personally all my life, ever since waking from many months inside a coma at age 8 yrs... and I have been to where we all will go and returned. And I know it's good!

I'm seriously OK with everything about the universe, and about dying, in fact, I think it absolutely wonderful:-)

Answer 9

A dimensions is an scenario where you can order in some way or theory your experience. The scenario remains abstract while you remains lake of spirituality experience.
if you are a searcher of truth, you must understand in some being what means spiritual experience.
Why those who reach it has a filled space experience, and those who are lake of it, the being space is lack of meaning and purpose for the force of being.
You don t need word like God to think and be in God.
Look inside yourself for plenty meaning and purpose of space, that a very interesting way to scanning all the mistakes that we create in our fantastic mirror scenarios.

The problem of infinity is the problem of God power full, the problem of finite is the problem create by the lack of meaning and purpose of the scenario of abstract concepts lack of being.

Scan Plato space being.

Answer 10

Close your eyes in a quiet and peaceful place, clear your head of imagery, thoughts and words and see the vastness of your own mind, it can travel infinite distances both in time and space, it has no boundaries and no end and it's all inside your own head, all our heads. we do not have to try and look beyond the stars when it is all here inside of us. Perhaps then infinity may not be quite so unnerving.

Answer 11

I agree with you, but for for your belief that there is no creator, I see what your geting at, for if something has no begining then nothing could have created it. But this is only true in the phisical sense. Its also true that you don't get something from nothing. So if nothing created the universe we woundn't have a universe!
Therefore the creator is not a phisical being.
I look at creation as being something similar to mind. When we imagine and create something with the mind we have something that was made by us, but also is not us, merely our creation.
Hope that makes sense, its very difficult to describe.