Now I've tried to imagine what lieth outside this universe, bearing in mind nothing within this universe can be counted as a possibility: based on the universe being 'finite' - and thereby all its contents also being finite. I would say even the aspect of 'nothingness' can be excluded, because this [no 'things'] infers a post-universe concept. A spirual realm would also be part of this universe, because like the material realm, it would have to have been created - or come about within this universe's paradigm, al beit without the corporeal material aspect; in any case it is a moot point because no one can even evidence a spiritual realm.
I have hardly ever seen this premise being debated, in the perspective of a finite universe, whereby all universal products are also thereby finite. Most people escape it via escapist bogus counter scenarios, and thus do not address the issue at all. There is here a premise that other universes or realms can still prevail outside this finite universe, by virtue of those universes not containing anything of this universe, but different products - which is not within human imaginations, yet it is a sound premise theoretically: why not!? The latter was suggested by a participant in another thread, and is a good insight to this issue. This indicates that the human mind can percieve outside its shakles of space and time.
Since a scientific, imperical theory is not available [space, particles, energy, etc are not applicable in this criteria], there seems no place to look other than genesis, because at least it does give a response, but one which again does not give anything which can be grasped outside of the meta-physical.
This answer is in the opening four words of Genesis, namely: "IN THE BEGINNING GOD". This says that pre-universe, there was only the terrifically lone Creator. Yet when this is thought of deeply, it is not so unreasonable, and there is no alternative to it: whatever else we pick, cannot be the end source if we can imagine it, and only what we cannot imagine can qualify. Because it must point to a transcendency of anything the mind can imagine - else that is less transcendent. And actually, Genesis does make a logical point when deliberated with in the bounds of its criteria.
If it can be imagined, theorised or imperically defined - we know it cannot qualify - else we would all be able to produce universes in our backyards or buy universe making kits from WalMart. Most reject this scenario of the Creator response, because it leaves us unsatisfied - humans want to taste the forbidden fruit, and cannot abide a command not to eat thereof too long - the reason we climb mountain peaks with the firm knowledge there is nothing up there.
Thus i welcome any offerings to the question.
Edited by IamJoseph, : spell