Is infinity the answer of all question that we cannot answer?

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The discussion centers around the concept of infinity in relation to unanswered scientific questions, particularly regarding the size of the universe and the nature of fundamental particles. Participants argue that while scientists may suggest the universe is infinite, a more accurate response is that we simply do not know its true size. The idea of infinitely small particles is also contested, with the assertion that fundamental particles like electrons cannot be definitively described as infinitely small. The conversation touches on the limitations of human understanding and measurement, emphasizing that some questions may remain unanswered indefinitely. Despite this, there is a recognition of the importance of research and discovery, with a hopeful outlook on future advancements in knowledge. The dialogue reflects a balance between acceptance of current limitations and the drive for continued exploration and understanding.
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TL;DR Summary: Is infinity the answer of all question that we can not answer?

If I ask a scientist how big our universe is? He will say infinite. If i ask how small anything can be? Will scientist say infinitely small ? As our visual limitation or device limitation we might not be able to see most smallest fundamental object or energy that can not be measured. So will be the answer is infinit or we don't know or we may never know?
 
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sadaronjiggasha said:
If I ask a scientist how big our universe is? He will say infinite.
Then he's wrong. The correct answer is, "We don't know. It is very large, possibly infinite, but we don't know."

sadaronjiggasha said:
If i ask how small anything can be? Will scientist say infinitely small ?
No, as the size of fundamental particles is not actually well defined, despite what you may believe. As far as I'm aware, a fundamental particle like an electron can be 'localized' to volume of space of any size no matter how small, but claiming that this means that an electron is infinitely small is very problematic.

sadaronjiggasha said:
As our visual limitation or device limitation we might not be able to see most smallest fundamental object or energy that can not be measured. So will be the answer is infinit or we don't know or we may never know?
The answer is that we don't know and will likely never know.
 
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So always the answer is "we don't know" and more painfully "we may never know" :(
 
sadaronjiggasha said:
TL;DR Summary: Is infinity the answer of all question that we can not answer?

If I ask a scientist how big our universe is? He will say infinite. If i ask how small anything can be? Will scientist say infinitely small ? As our visual limitation or device limitation we might not be able to see most smallest fundamental object or energy that can not be measured. So will be the answer is infinit or we don't know or we may never know?
No.
 
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sadaronjiggasha said:
TL;DR Summary: Is infinity the answer of all question that we can not answer?
A reductio ad absurdum:
Q: Is there an afterlife?
A: Infinity.
 
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sadaronjiggasha said:
So always the answer is "we don't know" and more painfully "we may never know" :(
Ah but that's the sort of thing that drives Research!

-Dan
 
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Research may help us to know closer but not close enough. May be we have to be happy, thinking that where we have reach now. Happy with the reality and what we have and not to worry about what we don’t have and what we can not achieve.
 
sadaronjiggasha said:
Research may help us to know closer but not close enough. May be we have to be happy, thinking that where we have reach now. Happy with the reality and what we have and not to worry about what we don’t have and what we can not achieve.
What do you mean by ”enough”? There’s always going to be more to discover, and anyone who has been the parent of a five-year-old is going to be familiar with the infinite regression of “Why?” questions.
 
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Yes I am agree that we will discover more but may be we can't find how big our universe is, where it end? Or does it ends?
 
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sadaronjiggasha said:
Research may help us to know closer but not close enough. May be we have to be happy, thinking that where we have reach now. Happy with the reality and what we have and not to worry about what we don’t have and what we can not achieve.
Most of the Engineers and Research oriented Physicists I've met seem to be driven by the challenge of the statement "You can't do that." And just because we can't answer a question now doesn't mean that we can't discover something and suddenly be able to find the answer.

Who knows? We might be able to answer the question of how big the Universe is in 50 years. It all depends on the discoveries made between now and then. (Yes, I'm a "never give up" kind of guy.)

-Dan
 
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  • #11
Yes I am agree with you, "hope" keep us alive :)
 
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sadaronjiggasha said:
Yes I am agree with you, "hope" keep us alive :)
I hold out little or no hope for the future of the human race, but I don't expect to drop dead anytime soon.
 
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  • #13
More questions without answers:
 
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@Demystifier I saw the video, very knowledgeable. I wish everyone has big heart like universe. Some narrow people always hold you back. They can't go beyond their imagination. Very sad :(.
 
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sadaronjiggasha said:
@Demystifier I saw the video, very knowledgeable. I wish everyone has big heart like universe. Some narrow people always hold you back. They can't go beyond their imagination. Very sad :(.
Question: why is there an "e" before the "a" in knowledgeable?

Answer: infinity!
 
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  • #16
Aaand, that's a good place to tie off this thread (so it doesn't continue on to infinity...). Thanks folks. :smile:
 
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