Is the universe infinite, or is it finite? If it is finite, what's beyond it? If it's infinite, how?

Question

Is time infinite, or finite? Did time only begin because we started measuring it? If there was no one to measure time would it exist? I think it has to be 'yes' because it can be distorted. It's a bit like the tree falling in the forest when there's no one to hear it. Does it still make a sound? Or does it need some organic being to perceive that sound in order for it to be a sound? What do you think?

Interesting so far. Some of you are way off mark, for instance I don't smoke dope! It was just a question posed to make people think - I don't really expect an answer because none of you know it. No one does. We have theories and hypotheses, but it all boils down to a matter of opinion. I don't like the involvement of God, though, as its existence cannot be proved any more than the answers to the questions I've posed. Although I realise that some people's lives are inextricably mingled with a god and so we obviously have to listen to their opinions. But we may as well involve Mickey Mouse. I'm talking about facts or theories here which may some day be provable. I don't think the existence of a god will ever be provable.

Some of you seem to have got the wrong impression about my question, especially the tree. I personally believe that it will still make a sound. How could it be otherwise? I don't have any logic to be flawed, because I wasn't applying logic I was just asking a provocative question, not expressing an opinion. I'm well aware of the arguments/theories regarding strings and 11 dimensions, but since none of these have been nor can be proved yet we have to discount them. I'm talking about provable facts and the extent of our scientific knowledge. I just wanted other opinions. I wasn't asking for answers, which would be futile, as no one can provide them. I know what current majority scientific thinking believes, I just want other peoples' opinions.

Answer 1

According to the big bang theory, if we could trace the evolution of the expanding universe backwards in time we would find that at some stage it will have shrunk to half its present size. Likewise at various earlier times it would have been a quarter, then one eighth, then a sixteenth and so on of what it is now until, by continuing the process we would eventually come to the big bang. At that point we should find that the universe was infinitely dense, infinitely hot and infinitesimally small, or so we are told.

One important assumption underlying this scenario is that the universe is and always has been finite in size. But no one knows how big the universe really is; whether it is finite or infinite. As far as I know, there is nothing in the laws of physics that precludes the possibility that the universe is infinite.

So whether it's finite or infinite, Truth is our human lives are finite. Most of us believe there is an afterlife, making us our souls infinite, but still noone definitely knows. so whether the uncontrollable space and time are working on their own, it is our very lives that we can do something about. Let's not waste our life romatancizing about whats beyond the universe, when what's within are planet are more crucial.. more beautiful.. and we dont have much time to relish them all.
=)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Answer 2

The universe is both finite and infinite. It is finite in that we can see to the edge but only as it was 12 billion years ago. (That is how we date the universe.) However, it is expanding and how far we don't know, yet. (depends on how much "dark matter" there is). It is therefore infinite because as far as we know, time and space can stretch indefinitely.

Time is just another way of expressing distance and since distance always exists for us, then so does time. (D=R/T) It does not require a person to be aware of it. The sun goes up and the sun goes down, while the moon paces it changes through its many phases. All without the aid or help of any being.

Answer 3

There are various theories about all of this. Some say the universe is infinite. Some say it is finite, and there are many universes that cannot contact each other or rarely can. Some say it is finite but we can never know that, since space curves back on itself in higher dimensions. String theory uses 11 dimensions. Time and sound exist whether anyone is aware of them or not. Such things are relative, not nonexistent. Distorting time does not banish it from the universe. Your logic is flawed.

Answer 4

it is infinite. Definitively, grasshopper.
There was an article in the guardian which you might love on the physical laws of the universe. It said that the real answer to the question of why the tolerances for life have been met in this universe was that there was some sort of mutuality: the developing universe shaped the laws it must follow. Possibly wrong, but it should allow you to explore the questions you chose within that possibility

Time would exist but differently in such a non-life scenario.

Answer 5

It is important to define the word "universe".

For most, it means that which started off with the Big Bang and has now expanded into this whole agglomeration of super clusters of galaxies containing billions of stars, planets, dust clouds, energy fields - the whole of the visible and invisible CONTAINED WITHIN IT . All this is contained WITHIN it. And it is expanding! So there must be THAT in which this expansion is taking place. Let us call this "Space " ( Infinite Space, the Container), in contrast with (this) universe that is contained within It. As soon as the Big Bang took place, at once it started expanding , but for that there must be That in which it expands, that Space which it is continually taking up.

The very fact that the universe is expanding means that it cannot be infinite, for That into which it is expanding lies beyond it - it is continuously taking up more and more of It.It is That which down the ages has been called the All, the Tao, the (Unconditioned) Brahman, the Unmanifest.

If the universe, this universe, were infinite, then there would be no difference in the meaning of the two words"universe" and "Space" as I have distinguished them. As it is, Space contains not only this universe but literally an infinity of them - but it is not necessary to go into that here.

I find the secondary questions totally irrelevant to the main one.

Answer 6

When the tree finally looses its balance and comes crashing to earth, it generates noise; the cracking of the timber; the whooshing as its leaves rush through the air; and finally, the loud thump it makes coming to rest on the forest floor.
Whether anyone or anything is around to hear it doesn't matter; the sound is not generated dependent upon anyone hearing it.
The universe is infinite; it has no beginning; no end; it goes on forever. A difficult concept for many to grasp.

Answer 7

if a tree falls in a forest an creates a disturbance in the surrounding atmosphere then sound waves are created this is immutable fact probably due to the breathable atmosphere the tree is helping to create in the first place
humans are so self important and arrogant as to think the laws of science and nature take a day off because people are not around to observe them as for the universe i aint even sure whats going on down the street so i try not to burden myself with the bigger things

Answer 8

Human minds can't understand terms like infinity or eternity. Space has no edge and is therefore infinate time has no end and it therefore eternal. Humans seem to want to put edges on space to make it easier to understand and ends to time but it is still like asking yourself if you leave a cup balanced and leave the room, if the cup falls then will it break even though you arent there. Time or the discovery of it, was an improvement and not something developed by man. If the earth stopped existing then there would still be the infinity of space which is eternal.

Answer 9

The Universe is a circle. It's beginning is connected with it's end. There is in fact a beginning and an end to the universe, but the two of them are connected, as in the circle. At any point on the circle, their is time. But the circle itself knows no time, or size, as this circle is infinite in it's ability to expand into the "nothingness" which bathes and surrounds the circle. We, as a people, are timeless, infinite, but we cannot see this because we exist as a point, or position. riding upon that circle. The physical universe is finite. For it is surrounded by the ocean of "nothingness" swimming freely into the ocean of eternity.

Answer 10

according to string or membrane theory the universe in finite, but nobody knows what's beyond it.
time began with the big bang, it exists only because the universe exists, if the universe didn't exist neither would time and yes, it is finite, when the universe expires so will time. but it is a maliable force in the universe according to some theories.
the third question is Schrödinger's cat theory and has no answer.