Infinite?

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The concept of infinity is one of the most intriguing ideas that humans have thought of.  It means “endless,” but it has much more meaning than that.  It has implications that are, well, infinite.

 

Some cosmologists propose that the universe is infinitely large, extending in all directions forever.  If true, that is mind-boggling.  Even if, as other cosmologists suggest, the universe is curved in on itself, and of limited size, even then, it is proposed that our universe exists in a larger context, a multi-verse, which contains infinite numbers of curved universes.

 

Whatever the case may be, there remains the metaphysical question, is reality itself infinite?  Is it infinitely large?  Is it infinitely old?  Will it last forever?

 

There are those who say that physical reality does not exist, or more precisely, that it exists only in a mental state, the state of spirit, or of consciousness.  This does not end the question.  If there is a fundamental reality that transcends the physical, whether that reality be God, or consciousness, or something else, we must ask, is that reality itself infinite?  Is it infinitely large? Infinitely old?

 

Infinity also extends downward.  How small can something get?  Is there a lower, finite limit, such as the Planck length?  Or, can real things actually be of zero size?  Bear in mind that zero, is not the same as, nothing.  Zero has defined, calculable, mathematical properties.  This is far different than the concept of nothingness, which logically, should be nonexistent and therefore have no properties of any kind.  Even that, however, is philosophically arguable.

 

Also, there is the question of whether the foundations of reality are an infinite regression of ever, more basic, realities.  For example, science tells us that the smallest physical entity is the atom—no, even atoms are made of smaller things, like quarks and electrons.  In turn, quarks and electrons are theorized to be made of even smaller things called, strings.  But if strings exist, are they made of something smaller?  Space itself is considered to be made of small, finite units, or granules.  In turn of course, we can ask whether there is a smallest finite granule of space, or is there an infinite regression downward?

A traditional Catholic hymn contains the words,

Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

 

Even more mind-boggling is the idea of greater orders of infinity.  One interpretation of quantum physics is that not only is the universe infinitely large, there may be infinite numbers of infinitely large universes, and that these are multiplying every instant by infinite orders of magnitude.

 

Finally, the best we can do to answer the question, how large is reality, is to say, it is really big.

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