Quote from: metal on July 27, 2007, 08:24:23 PMQuote from: Robot on July 27, 2007, 03:24:09 PMWhat about the idea of the universe having always existed? Does that have no validity?this involves one of my strongest opinions on this subject, which i have stated previously. I feel that this is impossble (that is, saying that time goes on backwards to infinity). Time is a measurable entity in the real world, where real life events take place. Infinity, on the other hand, is an immeasurable, non-numerical value that simply cannot be used for any kind of quantification. It is a concept and nothing more, and a correlation (that actually holds water) between these two just does not make sense to me (ie infinity cannot exist in the physical realm - measurable events cannot go back in time infinitely).This sounds illogical. Time is recorded in the brain, and the brain has its limits. That has no bearing on whether or not the universe has a beginning and an end.
Quote from: Robot on July 27, 2007, 03:24:09 PMWhat about the idea of the universe having always existed? Does that have no validity?this involves one of my strongest opinions on this subject, which i have stated previously. I feel that this is impossble (that is, saying that time goes on backwards to infinity). Time is a measurable entity in the real world, where real life events take place. Infinity, on the other hand, is an immeasurable, non-numerical value that simply cannot be used for any kind of quantification. It is a concept and nothing more, and a correlation (that actually holds water) between these two just does not make sense to me (ie infinity cannot exist in the physical realm - measurable events cannot go back in time infinitely).
What about the idea of the universe having always existed? Does that have no validity?
It's like saying the universe cannot possibly have X number of elements, because X is too large for me to comprehend.
It isn't irrelevant. I'm not arguing that infinity is some finite number. The brain can set a beginning and end on whatever events are recorded, but that has no bearing on whether there is a beginning and end for the universe. By your logic, I could say "I wasn't around in the 50's, so nothing in the 50's happened."
No, not really. Provide your explanation instead of trying to make it look you didn't get schooled.
The brain can set a beginning and end on whatever events are recorded, but that has no bearing on whether there is a beginning and end for the universe.
By your logic, I could say "I wasn't around in the 50's, so nothing in the 50's happened."
Especially considering something like Hawking's "virtual time" which is a way of measuring time across successive big bangs, if I recall correctly.
physical laws that do not allow his existence. No matter which way you spin the clock, the laws of physics still say that the existence of an uber-complex being with supernatural powers is very very improbable.