In a universe of infinite space and time, is it possible for something to happen once

Bane of your existence · 12-03-2012, 09:57 PM

If the universe was at least infinitely old, then this seems like a problem to me. In an infinite universe I would imagine that at some point everything that could possibly happen at some point necessarily would, and everything that happened once seems like it should surely repeat itself at some point.
Anyone know of any philosophers that have taken on this issue?

ThePhanastasio · 12-03-2012, 10:47 PM

The only problem I'm seeing here is that you're addressing it as though the Universe itself is infinite, but possible happenings within said Universe, finite. There's a vast amount of repetition to be sure, but there are, as far as I can figure, also an infinite amount of possible occurrences within an infinite Universe.

slappyjenkins · 12-03-2012, 11:08 PM

Are you talking about cosmic events such as galaxies being born or dying stars or are you talking every single that can possibly happen regardless of factors?

Also here's an interesting one, are you taking things on the planet earth and man's interaction into account?

The reason I ask is no matter how long the universe lasts I doubt random elements would ever conspire to create a Chevy Nova or a Ham sandwich.

But if you're asking if the wind blows on tuesday would it ever blow on tuesday again...I'm sure it would....

Edit: And also there a multi-verse theories that state that everything that could possibly happen is happening right now somewhere in any number of infinite parallel universes.

Neapolitan · 12-03-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

[/Q In a universe of infinite space and time, is it possible for something to happen once

There is something always happening in a finite universe I don't see why something wouldn't happen in a infinite universe. Do you mean "In a universe of infinite space and time, is it possible for anything to happen [at least] once?"

Guybrush · 12-04-2012, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

There is something always happening in a finite universe I don't see why something wouldn't happen in a infinite universe. Do you mean "In a universe of infinite space and time, is it possible for anything to happen [at least] once?"

No, Mr. Existence is wondering if something can happen only once in an infinite space/time universe. The question bases itself on the idea that given enough time, anything will happen. And therefore, with infinite time, anything should eventually happen an infinite amount of times, not just once. It's pretty much there in the first post.

I'm not giving my opinion on this by the way, just trying to clarify the conundrum.

ThePhanastasio · 12-04-2012, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

No, Mr. Existence is wondering if something can happen only once in an infinite space/time universe. The question bases itself on the idea that given enough time, anything will happen. And therefore, with infinite time, anything should eventually happen an infinite amount of times, not just once. It's pretty much there in the first post.

I'm not giving my opinion on this by the way, just trying to clarify the conundrum.

No. You'd have to base that expectancy solely on the human race. In an infinite universe, again, there are infinite possibilities. Tic tac toe has a finite amount of possibilities, but it's already been played. Something has changed.

That's the universe; try to find a way to explain yourself out of it, and there's something statistical to change it.

Neapolitan · 12-04-2012, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhanastasio

No. You'd have to base that expectancy solely on the human race. In an infinite universe, again, there are infinite possibilities. Tic tac toe has a finite amount of possibilities, but it's already been played. Something has changed.

That's the universe; try to find a way to explain yourself out of it, and there's something statistical to change it.

If in this hypothetical universe there were Laws of Physics that govern it, there would not be an infinite amount possiblities.

Guybrush · 12-04-2012, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhanastasio

No. You'd have to base that expectancy solely on the human race. In an infinite universe, again, there are infinite possibilities. Tic tac toe has a finite amount of possibilities, but it's already been played. Something has changed.

That's the universe; try to find a way to explain yourself out of it, and there's something statistical to change it.

As I wrote, I wasn't explaining my position, just clarifying the OPs. I have yet to share my own thoughts on this.

Neapolitan · 12-04-2012, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

As I wrote, I wasn't explaining my position, just clarifying the OPs. I have yet to share my own thoughts on this.

In an infinite universe they would had be already been shared once, and then repeatedly for all eternity - judging by what you said so far, right?

Guybrush · 12-04-2012, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

In an infinite universe they would had be already been shared once, and then repeatedly for all eternity - judging by what you said so far, right?

Many would probably argue that, in a universe of infinite space, time and perhaps one should add infinite matter so that there's a lot going on in that universe, there would have been or will be an infinite amount of Tores who share their thoughts on this topic on a website called musicbanter. I guess given infinity and all, one could argue that not only would there exist an infinite amount of Tores doing this seperated in time, but there would be an infinite amount of Tores doing it at the same time.

But I agree with you Neapolitan that at the core, physical laws dictate the nature of possibilities and ThePhanastasio might agree with me when I think that I am only doing this now. I won't exist millions of years in the future.

I think an infinite universe could be compared to an infinite sequence of numbers. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc. The number 1 will reappear an infinite amount of times backwards and forwards in the sequence (f.ex in the numbers -124, 315 or 1111), but the exact value of 1 will only appear once. So if you're wondering if 1 will reappear, it will, but it won't be the same 1.

12-03-2012, 09:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bane of your existence Such That Join Date: May 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,197	In a universe of infinite space and time, is it possible for something to happen once If the universe was at least infinitely old, then this seems like a problem to me. In an infinite universe I would imagine that at some point everything that could possibly happen at some point necessarily would, and everything that happened once seems like it should surely repeat itself at some point. Anyone know of any philosophers that have taken on this issue?

12-03-2012, 10:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
ThePhanastasio Killed Laura Palmer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 1,679	The only problem I'm seeing here is that you're addressing it as though the Universe itself is infinite, but possible happenings within said Universe, finite. There's a vast amount of repetition to be sure, but there are, as far as I can figure, also an infinite amount of possible occurrences within an infinite Universe. __________________ Phish: Studio Discography Reviewed 100 Albums I Heartily Recommend My last.fm It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Perhaps they're better left unsung

12-03-2012, 11:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
slappyjenkins Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 214	Are you talking about cosmic events such as galaxies being born or dying stars or are you talking every single that can possibly happen regardless of factors? Also here's an interesting one, are you taking things on the planet earth and man's interaction into account? The reason I ask is no matter how long the universe lasts I doubt random elements would ever conspire to create a Chevy Nova or a Ham sandwich. But if you're asking if the wind blows on tuesday would it ever blow on tuesday again...I'm sure it would.... Edit: And also there a multi-verse theories that state that everything that could possibly happen is happening right now somewhere in any number of infinite parallel universes.