How could the set oif natural numbers not be finite

In summary,The set of all possible streams of brain activity arising from all possible configurations of all possible neurons with all possible connections is finite, so if you accept that natural numbers are a creation of the human mind (brain), then don't you have to accept that the set of number is finite? When they start counting, mathematicians generally imagine the natural numbers as a platonic universe where objects are extended infinitely, but if thoughts about numbers are created by brain activity, and brain activity is finite, then every possible natural number and mathematical object imaginable from every direction with every one of thousands of subtle conscious factors is associated with a unique brain state, which is part of a larger finite set...unless we are wrong about physics and spacetime
  • #1
tautological
2
0
The set of all possible streams of brain activity arising from all possible configurations of all possible neurons with all possible connections is finite, so if you accept that natural numbers are a creation of the human mind (brain), then don't you have to accept that the set of number is finite? When they start counting, mathematicians generally imagine the natural numbers as a platonic universe where objects are extended infinitely, but if thoughts about numbers are created by brain activity, and brain activity is finite, then every possible natural number and mathematical object imaginable from every direction with every one of thousands of subtle conscious factors is associated with a unique brain state, which is part of a larger finite set...unless we are wrong about physics and spacetime is truly continuous?
 
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  • #2
tautological said:
The set of all possible streams of brain activity arising from all possible configurations of all possible neurons with all possible connections is finite, so if you accept that natural numbers are a creation of the human mind (brain), then don't you have to accept that the set of number is finite? When they start counting, mathematicians generally imagine the natural numbers as a platonic universe where objects are extended infinitely, but if thoughts about numbers are created by brain activity, and brain activity is finite, then every possible natural number and mathematical object imaginable from every direction with every one of thousands of subtle conscious factors is associated with a unique brain state, which is part of a larger finite set...unless we are wrong about physics and spacetime is truly continuous?
Post the peer reviewed scientific studies that say "all possible configurations of all possible neurons with all possible connections is finite". Once you furnish that, we can consider the rest of your post.
 
  • #3
Physically, the number of frequencies, the amplitude of those frequencies, etc of a radio is finite. So, by the same implication, does that mean the number of messages I could send out on the radio must be finite?
 
  • #4
If the set of natural numbers is finite, then there is a largest one, call it n. Then n + 1 is not a natural number. But n + 1 is a natural number. Therefore, the set of natural numbers is not finite.
 
  • #5
Killed it
 

Related to How could the set oif natural numbers not be finite

1. How is it possible for the set of natural numbers to be infinite?

The set of natural numbers is considered infinite because it has no upper limit. This means that no matter how high a number is, another number can always be added to the set. For example, if we start with the number 1, we can always add 1 to get 2, then add 1 again to get 3, and so on, creating an infinite set of numbers.

2. Can't we just keep counting and eventually reach the end of the set of natural numbers?

No, because there is no end to the set of natural numbers. Even if we were to count for eternity, we would never reach an end. This is because there is always another number that can be added to the set, making it infinite.

3. How do we know that the set of natural numbers is infinite?

We know that the set of natural numbers is infinite because it follows the properties of infinity. This means that it has no upper limit, it is uncountable, and it can be divided into infinite subsets. Additionally, mathematicians have proven the existence of infinity through various mathematical concepts and theories.

4. Isn't it impossible for something to be both infinite and finite?

While it may seem contradictory, the set of natural numbers is both infinite and finite. It is infinite because it has no upper limit, but it is also finite because it is a well-defined and countable set. This means that we can list out all the natural numbers, even though there is no end to the set.

5. How is the concept of infinity relevant in science?

The concept of infinity is relevant in science because it helps us understand the natural world. Many scientific theories and laws are based on the idea of infinity, such as the theory of relativity and the law of conservation of energy. In addition, the concept of infinity allows us to explore and understand the vastness of the universe and the infinite possibilities it holds.

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