Is the Universe Infinite?

At the present level of knowledge a valid case can be made for either so I ascribe to my own personal theory which I call the Theory of the Congenial Universe. Anything you can think up, the universe will consider it and say "Ya, we can do that"

Yes

No. However, yes.

I would say that the universe is "infinite" because I cannot imagine it being finite, that is something outside of it. On the other hand, considering the fact that "finite" and "infinite" are human constructions, I suspect they describe only our DREAM, as Asherman refers to maya or samsara. I think that when we say the universe is infinite or finite, either way, we are wrong. No, I take that back. WE ARE NOT EVEN WRONG.

The universe is finite. Infinity is a theoretical concept that does not exist in the universe.

As for what is outside the universe..... well I would have thought the answer was obvious..... nothing.

the 'known' universe is infinite; it is all we know, it is everything we know.

[in my universe nothingness exploded under the pressure of impossibility toward a state of everything; when that point is reached the exhaustive pressure of everything will force a retreat toward nothingness again.]

Adrian, I agree with your first sentence, but regarding the second: nothing is something. What could that nothing/something be?

JL.

Nothing is NOT something.

Nothing is the absence of something.

Nothing is just not.

Adrian nothingness is as dificult a concept as infinity; in a way, they are related, as nothingness is infinite.

However both exist in proportion to our willingness to deal with them, and apply them to what, to us, make sense.

To me nothing else makes sense.

Nothing is not infinite.

Nothing is.

Nothing is not.

very nice, i liked that; disagree, but i like it.

Thanks.

Inspired somewhat by a scene from my favourite play.

In that vein, paraphrasing; "accept Adrian, accept!"

from "Tiny Alice" - Edward Albee.

I accept NOTHING!

Albert Einstein:

I agree with him.....

Or a other theory: The universe has a trompet form.

But I tough it out: Einstein had this good describe

It depends on whether you're talking about time or space.

If the question is one of time, then the universe is easier to conceive as infinite (and therefore immeasurable) under the following theory:

There was a big bang.

From the point, in space, of the big bang the matter in the universe expands.

The expansion continues for an extremely long time, but then stops.

It then begins to contract.

It collapses toward a single point (which may or may not be the same point of its origin).

It is compressed to the point where it re-explodes.

This pulsating universe has been going on forever and will continue to go on forevermore.

I don't know why but I am able to get my mind around the concept of an infinity of time. That something may have always been and always will be.

I have a harder time getting my mind around the idea of infinite space.

Suppose the my time theory is correct. The universe expands until it stops and contracts. At the point of greatest expansion there must still be more room beyond: out there with nothing in it. Eternal emptiness is probably what I can't grasp.

i recently read that the universe is not only expanding but accelerating

the universe as we know it is finite

i personally believe that it is infinite

See the Time thread within the Philosophy Forum. You can't meaningfully talk about time and space apart from one another.

If I don't get claustrophobia, it's big enough for me not to care - especially if I don't get reborn.