Nothingness/eternity.
Is there any more mind boggling a concept to get your head around?
Nope.... Which is why cosmology is probably the most tentative discipline in all of science. There are so many things that are counter-intuitive about the cosmos and in relation to time-space-matter. When we think we know something about it, there is another theory waiting around the bend to subvert it, with another one behind waiting to the subvert the next.
Space is big and empty, but its still filled with particles and energy. However the universe is finite in this regard as you reach the frontier expansion wave of the BB there is presumably true nothing beyond and that that nothingness goes on indefintly. But how can something go on forever, even nothing? :/ and then if infact it does not and is cyclical or in some way 'ends' then again you are left with a finite structure or volume, conseqeuncetialy what is then outside of this?.
In order for there to be end, there must conceivably be a beginning. Perhaps the universe is a lot like a sea, in that, unless there is something in relation, like a land mass, its just one big swirling and undulating entity, with no discernible beginning or end.
If there is an 'end,' I don't believe we can identify that in linear terms, but in terms of the universe itself not existing. But who knows, the beginning of this universe could have been the end of another, and so on, or that there are multiverses or multiple planes of existence. How mean, how can we come to terms with that conceptually? We are so bound to the laws of physics in this dimension that conceiving such abstract concepts that differ from what our reality has never been seen outside of an abstract mathematical equation.
Which leads back to nothing and does that nothing exist for ever.
Since we don't know what "nothing" truly means, I couldn't know with Newtonian precision.
I am limited by my own perceptions. The very act of trying to perceive absolute nothingness automaticaly invalidates it by giving it definition and substance. So how do you understand anything beyond the universe.
Exactly... Like I said, we are just too bound by what we know or think we know to really grasp these kinds of abstract concepts. I find cosmology fascinating, but I tend not to post in here because its so theoretical to the point of absurdity.
I guess all that we can do is try and continue to trod along the best we can with the limited information we have at present.
Whew, blows, my, mind.
Yeah, it blows everyone's mind.
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." -C.S. Lewis
™ Version 4.2