Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Mathematics/2016 March 19

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March 19

Infinity and the universe

Here's a concept I'm struggling to understand and need digesting. Infinity, take for example the universe. Obviously our knowledge is limited on this subject, but there's a distinct possibility that prior to the university, something existed. When did this exist, and for how long. The more I think about this, the more I am troubled and vexed. What if the big bangs and successive universes have always happened. Forever and had no beginning. I mean, how far can you go back. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.32.51.253 (talk) 19:18, 19 March 2016 (UTC)

Note: for anyone who reads this section, please include as part of your response "Is this section more appropriate for Wikipedia:Reference desk/Science??" Georgia guy (talk) 19:23, 19 March 2016 (UTC)

The question is a fundamental one about the Physical cosmology of the Universe concerning its origin, evolution and ultimate fate. Several cyclic models have been proposed in which the Universe pursues a series of oscillations, each beginning with a big bang and ending with a big crunch. Redirecting this question to WP:RD/S could elicit more answers about cosmological models but addressing it to WP:RD/H could elicit reponses about the implications within various belief systems of such a model, such as whether in an omnipresent deity-acknowledging religion the deity's own existence is cyclic or eternal. AllBestFaith (talk) 13:16, 20 March 2016 (UTC)

You might be interested in our Ekpyrotic universe article. StuRat (talk) 19:35, 20 March 2016 (UTC)