Does the existence of a continuum make the concept of a "beginning" and "ending" pointless?

Question

In regards to the idea that the universe consists of more than just the 4 dimensions of space and time. If there is at least an additional dimension of space OR time beyond the main 4, then our traditional ideas of a linear beginning or ending to EITHER of them would have to go right out the window, would it??
Yes or No? and why?

ps to Dr. R -- But, when you start accepting the existence of "other Universes", then it would seem necessary to exapnd out definition of "THE UNIVERSE"....since the Universe by definition is literally EVERYTHING.
"Other Universes" is like saying the known universe is but one unit out of many in an even larger more exotic "universe".

Answer 1

A function may on be continuous between two endpoints. "Beginning" and "ending" refer to time, which is one of the four dimensions that inflated to create our particular universe. Our particular universe, then, can be said to have a beginning and and end (either relativistic or thermodynamic). Other universes in a greater multiverse would have them too. The point is that beginnings and endings and even the space-time metric (way of measuring things) itself are regional properties; they cannot be applied to a multiverse since it transcends such concepts. Asking whether the multiverse has a beginning or end is like asking, "what is the color of the Pythagorean theorem?"

Reply to PS: In cosmological circles the word "universe" these days generally refers to the continuous unbounded simply connected space-time manifold that was once taken for granted to be "everything" in big bang theory. To include the possibility of other such universes (infinite in number) disjoint from ours, the term "multiverse" was coined to mean "everything". The other universes would all have there own self-contained time lines with there own beginnings and endings. It wouldn't make sense to ask where another universe's beginning occurred before or after ours, since to do so presumes the same time-line can be applied to both. That's what I meant when I say the multiverse, if it exists, would transcend time (and space, for that matter). For this reason, physicists are starting to think that the "theory of everything" will not include space-time has a fundamental concept. Heady stuff indeed.

Answer 2

Sure, all our previous conceptions of "reality" would require significant adjustments. Why? Because our current concept of "reality" is based on empirical evidence. If that evidence were to change in ways you describe then we'd have no choice other than to adjust our views of "reality." Quantum physics and particularly string theory are nudging science in that direction right now.

Answer 3

The question is...do YOU? Or might doing so in basic terms jeopardize maximum of of their deeply held ideals? WHAT do you comprehend approximately DEEPLY HELD ideals? It faith relatively approximately finding certainty or finding the convenience it promises? DO you have a faith? what's YOUR faith approximately? CHRISTIANS do no longer very own THE marketplace ON faith. won't we in many circumstances in basic terms locate what all of us comprehend the thank you to look for? you're making AN ASSUMPTION approximately some thing OF which you comprehend no longer something. Is the discomfort modern-day in uncertainty the stress which drives us to seek for solutions? WHAT discomfort IS THAT? i do no longer concern discomfort...OR dying, FOR THAT count. Does faith artwork to manage the sources of lack of wisdom (loss of journey/training) or quite the indicators (concern of discomfort)? i do no longer comprehend. WHAT DOES YOUR faith artwork to manage? Does the church earnings on those needs for certainty and "certainty" so as improve and unfold their "therapy for lack of wisdom" even added into the loads, offering them with much extra potential to the comparable? i do no longer bypass to CHURCH. WHAT DOES YOUR CHURCH DO? they are ALL distinctive. you're suitable approximately THIS related to some church homes. yet church homes are not RUN with the aid of GOD, LOL. you're making LIKE GOD CONDONES all of them. If the concentration became relatively on assisting the guy locate certainty, why is it so heavily centred on being the only valid source of certainty quite than yet another valid ability to locate it? it is not. THERE ARE some WHO experience this style, i think of, yet i do no longer locate the traditional public TO experience this style. OH, AND CHRISTIANS are not the only ONES WHO experience this style. i think employer is employer, yet in my opinion, if it is convenience i'm in seek of, i might faster supply my money to a psychologist because of the fact a minimum of they are up-front and common approximately what they are offering and why. supply YOUR money TO WHOEVER you like. i do no longer supply MY money TO everybody interior the "call OF GOD". HE does not want IT. it is the adult adult males WHO RUN THE companies who're no longer UP-front. PLEASE do no longer BLAME GOD FOR the character DEFECTS OF guy.

Answer 4

There is no beginning and no end. Just transitions.