After doing some thought on the subject I think I have a better way to approach this discussion. I think that we can break down all possible options as to the nature of our universe in two categories. In doing so maybe by deductive reasoning or by process of elimination there is a possibility to deduce that one option is so much more likely than the other that even though we can't prove it we can use it to base further speculations from.
So I submit there are two options for the universe.
1) A bounded or unbounded space-time continuum or Universe, that maybe a sphere, or may not be a sphere, that contains all there is, all there was, and all there will be surrounded by a void. That encompasses all viewpoints that include our space time continuum existing inside a void and outside our space time continuum is a void that may or may not be defined by the principles of our X,Y,Z, and time coordinates. This encompasses all viewpoints that see our universe as bounded and not existing in a void but not being infinite in all directions.
2) That our space-time continuum either exists in tandem with other space time continuums or exists inside a larger space-time continuum. Going this route encompasses all viewpoints that relegate our known universe to become a space-time pocket or a self-contained self-relative pocket of space-time. This also includes any beliefs in an infinite Universe in all directions and galaxies like ours exist in an infinite number of directions.
I cannot find any other option that does not fit into one of these two categories. So lets toss around for a while this concept. Is there a third other option that does not fall into one of these two categories?
This message has been edited by nipok, 09-05-2004 06:05 PM