Is Energy Truly Eternal and Infinite?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the nature of energy, specifically whether it can be considered eternal and infinite. Participants explore implications of the conservation of energy, philosophical interpretations, and cosmological perspectives, touching on concepts from physics, philosophy, and cosmology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Philosophical
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that since energy cannot be created or destroyed, it implies that energy is eternal and infinite in duration.
  • Another participant questions the meaning of "created" in the context of energy, proposing that energy could have emerged with the Big Bang and thus may not be eternal or infinite.
  • A different participant challenges the assertion that "many people" believe the Big Bang singularity popped into existence, noting that cosmologists do not typically address the origin of the singularity.
  • Philosophically, some participants argue that the indestructibility of energy suggests that existence is eternal, which could imply that time itself is eternal.
  • One participant discusses the relationship between movement, time, and entropy, suggesting that as entropy increases, movement slows, potentially leading to a state where time becomes undefined.
  • There is a recognition that there is no consensus on whether energy is eternal or infinite, with some participants asserting that while we are conscious of energy, its eternal nature is not universally accepted.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the eternal and infinite nature of energy, with no consensus reached on these concepts. Some argue for the eternal nature of energy, while others present counterarguments based on cosmological theories.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on various interpretations of energy conservation, the Big Bang theory, and philosophical implications, which may depend on differing definitions and assumptions about energy and existence.

throng
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I resist posting as I have very little physics or math knowledge. I read quite a lot and would like to seek veiws on the following.

Energy can't be created or destroyed.

That implies it is eternal.

If it is eternal it is infinite, at least in duration.


Is it fair to say:

Energy exists - We are conscious of it.

Energy is eternal - Can't create or destroy it.

Energy is infinite - Eternity is infinite.


What are the implications of the indestructibility of energy?



I'm writing an artical on areas that science, religion and philosophy agree apon, and would appreciate any insight in this area.
 
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"Energy can't be created or destroyed?" The key word here is created and what does this actually mean?

Man people believe the big bang singularity just popped into existence and was not created by anyone or any existence whatsoever: So instead of energy being created by anyone or any existence whatsoever what man calls energy existing could have also just popped into existence along with everything else and would then have existed "only" for 15 billion years or so and a finite quantity of time.
 
ronjanec said:
Man people believe the big bang singularity just popped into existence and was not created by anyone or any existence whatsoever:
I disagree, "Man" doesn't believe this. There may be some people who do but cosmologists AFAIK don't even address the origin of the singularity in question so they don't assume that it popped out of nothing.

EDIT: Oops, surely you meant "many" and not "Man"...
 
throng said:
What are the implications of the indestructibility of energy?
Philosophically, it implies that existence is for all time.
 
Sorry, I did mean many not man...
 
out of whack said:
Philosophically, it implies that existence is for all time.


This implies that time is eternal.

Matter must have begun in a finite past, by the law of entropy.



The universe is of a primary singularity or "first movement".

I'd imagine the movement as the beginning of time, because in an instant or at light speed there is no movement. It seems movement is related to the passage of time somehow.

As entropy affects movement its force disperses into a miriad of lesser pairs, so movement slows and temperature becomes infinitely low.

Matter would sit still, evenly dispersed in space.

If infinite entopy is possible then the future is infinite. Without movement there's no light and we start losing a definition of time. (wont go there)


Anyway it seems it is not concurred that energy is eternal or infinite but in that we are conscious of it, it exists, at least for now.

I hope my thermodynamics is not inane.
 
Last edited:

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