Questions tagged [infinity]
Use for questions about the properties, nature, or definition of infinitude.
134
questions
24
votes
24
answers
8k
views
Is infinity a number?
So I've been on a number of math fora, part of learning some calculus (not much of set theory, no). To my surprise I found what I would describe as strong resistance from some folks against (using) ...
- 4,361
0
votes
2
answers
64
views
Is there any major benefit to using NAND in infinitary logic?
In infinitary logic (there's an SEP entry about it), you can have infinitely long conjunctions and disjunctions. But imagine that different logics are like different video games. Usually, to my ...
- 16.7k
3
votes
2
answers
151
views
Final Steps and Zeno's Paradox
In the SEP article on supertasks, it states that:
Max Black (1950) argued that it is nevertheless impossible to complete the Zeno task, since there is no final step in the infinite sequence. The ...
- 695
2
votes
1
answer
82
views
Need help understanding how certain mathemetical statements across the landscape can seemingly contradict (e.g. Cantor-Hume vs Euclid)
Here are the main components to my understanding on this issue:
Almost all of math can be given in a foundation of set theory
Different math can seemingly contradict, e.g. in Euclidean geometry ...
- 2,942
2
votes
6
answers
602
views
Is the B-theory of time only compatible with an infinitely renewing cyclical reality?
I'm not a mathematician and I may be misunderstanding some aspects of this concept.
According to the B-theory of time, the flow of time is an illusion, and every point in time exists equally. If this ...
- 217
0
votes
2
answers
90
views
A thought process: understanding infinite density (black hole) from a temporal stance using a hypothetical Ouroboros [closed]
The two main focus questions:
Could a snake theoretically devour itself whole?
Does a black whole actually have infinite density and zero volume?
Everything below is just extra explanatory steps on ...
- 1,539
9
votes
15
answers
3k
views
Is infinity a concept or a word empty of meaning?
I'm wondering if infinity is a concept.
We know from experience that there are things for which one cannot reach the end. A long way through the space is an example. One cannot reach the end of the ...
- 345
1
vote
5
answers
172
views
Is there some sort of disconnect between the math we use and our "observed phenomena" in reality?
So my question comes from two questions on this site one of them being my own, How small can we measure space? and Is the (surprising) applicability of mathematics to the physical world a brute fact ...
- 1,539
2
votes
4
answers
544
views
What is the state-of-the-art of formal definitions of God?
Isn't the only formal analytic definition of God, that of Cantor's Absolute Infinity?
What is the state-of-the-art of this approach?
Are there other definitions?
- 154
0
votes
2
answers
105
views
Constructing an infinite interval with a definite starting point given an infinite past [duplicate]
I had a question regarding constructing an infinite interval with a starting point given an an infinite past. I wish to model an infinite past in a non-formal non-rigorous set theoretic manner and was ...
- 17
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Has anybody revised Kant's Antinomies of space & time in view of modern physics?
Has anybody updated Kant's antinomies in view of modern physics?
In The Critique of Pure Reason (1781) he laid out the Antinomies of Pure Reason highlighting contradictions in the ideas of time and ...
- 6,284
2
votes
5
answers
211
views
Can anything happen at any time right now if there is infinite Possibilities in life?
If we live in a world with possibly infinite realities, and infinite space, doesn't that mean that there is an chance that anything could happen?
- 177
1
vote
4
answers
76
views
Is learning an infinite loop?
We learn from people who were taught by other people. Those people were taught by other people. Those people were taught by other people.
For example, a professor teaching in a university was once ...
- 228
1
vote
0
answers
92
views
Completeness in finished system
Gödel's incompleteness theorems addresse formal axiomatic théories.
Incompleteness of arithmetic of natural numbers is an example.
My question is if a theory regarding a finite class of numbers cannot ...
- 345
4
votes
2
answers
143
views
Is there a philosophical or mathematical proof for "For any observation or claim, there's an infinite number of assumptions we presume to be true?"
Is there a philosophical or mathematical proof for "For any observation or claim, there's an infinite number of assumptions we presume to be true?"
It doesn't seem to make any sense, but ...
- 4,249