What does infinity actually mean in this context?
Is it just a mathematical solution to the question ...
um ... yes. sort of. mostly maybe ... ish ....
Consider a straight line and a circle. Both are mathematical concepts, and the mathematical concepts involve non-dimensional points anywhere along either -- each has an infinite number of points, but one is "bounded" and the other isn't (you can't even conceive where a "line" ends).
But in reality there are no circles or lines that have infinite points -- you can only go so far as the {discrete} subatomic particles -- nor are there any real "straight" lines.
Our concept of "infinite" is inevitably intertwined with our concept of math. Sometimes it is difficult to separate the concept from the math ...
Certainly our concept of cosmology (big bang to big crunch) is a mathematical concept that may or may not represent reality (whatever model you choose, it ends up with a {known universe} being a fraction of the {theoretical universe} ... a
small fraction).
The universe is normally considered "infinite but bounded" - so it is conceptually closer to a circle than a line. An expanding circle if you will.
Of course by the mathematical concept the surface of the earth is an infinite surface (has infinite non-dimensional points on it), the "surface" of the sun could be considered an expanding and contracting envelope with an infinite number of non-dimensional points on it, but we have no trouble with considering their boundaries, nor to consider that the total number of sub-atomic particles that make up either (or the whole body in question), while being astronomical in number, are not infinite.
The mathematical concepts fail to depict the reality. They can assist our thinking and obstruct it.
If we live in an infinite universe would it be reasonable to think that what existed at T=0 was infinite energy?
Not necessarily - it could be zero {energy\matter}, and that everything we see is a temporary differentiation of {original null state} into {+/-energy and +/-matter ... (including gravity as -energy IIRC) where sum=0}
Or sum = ~0 ... and the original {cause} involved {part} of {something} and we cannot {see\touch\feel\smell\hear\conceive} the rest.
my 2cents worth.
It will be interesting to see Cavediver, Son Goku, et al with their responses.
Enjoy.
Join the effort to unravel {AIDSHIV} with Team EvC! (click)
we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmericanOZen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.
™ Version 4.2
