06 Jun 06
Well this is kind of a pointless debate, but I would have to say the universe is bigger. We can turn this into an argument about whether or not the universe is infinite, but in my opinion it has been established that it is; while the imagination I believe, is limited by the number of neurons and other physical means. Even if the imagination is not limited physically, and could be said to be infinite; I think it is the smaller infinity.
In mathematics, some infinities can be larger than others, while both remain infinite. I think that the imagination has some limitations due to your own psychology and history. You may be able to imagine an infinite number of things, but the size of the universe is an even bigger infinity.
You are comparing infinite apples with infinite oranges though, my answer might be different if it were more clear what exactly you are comparing in the 'size' of the imagination vs. the universe.
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06 Jun 06
Originally posted by UmbrageOfSnowI thought about the fact that human imagination is limited although it is still a massive expanse maybe rivalling the universe(i said just maybe). But the universe is more an unknown unlike the imagination. and until then my imagination is more than bigger than a 1000 universes put together......just sit back and take a ride people...hmmmmm
Well this is kind of a pointless debate, but I would have to say the universe is bigger. We can turn this into an argument about whether or not the universe is infinite, but in my opinion it has been established that it is; while the imagination I believe, is limited by the number of neurons and other physical means. Even if the imagination is not li ...[text shortened]... e more clear what exactly you are comparing in the 'size' of the imagination vs. the universe.
And in reply to the other...any debate where people swap ideas and stimulate each others imaginations is not pointless...so hurumph to you!
06 Jun 06
Originally posted by whuppingboyIf the human imagination has a limit, then it cannot rival an infinite universe. That limit can be very large, as I believe it is, but not be infinite. Like the number of possible chess games. It is a finite number, but it is so large that we are unable to calculate it. It is not infinite however.
I thought about the fact that human imagination is limited although it is still a massive expanse maybe rivalling the universe(i said just maybe). But the universe is more an unknown unlike the imagination. and until then my imagination is more than bigger than a 1000 universes put together......just sit back and take a ride people...hmmmmm
And in ...[text shortened]... e people swap ideas and stimulate each others imaginations is not pointless...so hurumph to you!
And a better argument I just thought of. You are part of the universe. So is your mind and your imagination. So if we are measuring in total ideas contained therein, your imagination can never be larger than the universe. At best they could be the same size, but that is if you imagine everything possible in the entire universe. If there is so much as one thing that never crosses your mind, but occurs to someone else or exists somewhere out there, then the universe contains more ideas than your imagination. I think with how big the universe is, there is probably other life out there, if those aliens think of anything that never will occur to you, as it seems likely they would, then your imagination is smaller than the universe.
And for getting me to think about that, i hereby revoke my statement that this was a pointless thread.
06 Jun 06
Originally posted by whuppingboyYour imagination is limited by the things that your brain percieves. Unless you'd care to imagine the taste of yellow, or the smell of blue. The universe is boundless in size and presumably, very varied in content. Can you imagine a diamond the size of earth? No? Well there is one at the heart of Jupiter, and more than that besides.
I thought about the fact that human imagination is limited although it is still a massive expanse maybe rivalling the universe(i said just maybe). But the universe is more an unknown unlike the imagination. and until then my imagination is more than bigger than a 1000 universes put together......just sit back and take a ride people...hmmmmm
And in ...[text shortened]... e people swap ideas and stimulate each others imaginations is not pointless...so hurumph to you!
Learn to tame your arrogance.
07 Jun 06
Originally posted by EsotericI was about to talk about perception of the universe here, then I started to think about it a bit more. What is "the universe" exactly? Isn't it just the totality of all things? In which case it is a grouping, rather than a physical object. If this is indeed the case the "universe" exists within our heads only, whilst the things that comprise the universe exist in physical actuallity.
The Universe was created by our imagination. We all imagine what it is like, and no-one can disprove what you think the universe is. Therefore there can be infinite imagination as well.
Thoughts?
07 Jun 06
1 edit
Originally posted by scottishinnzI like that. Seems like an accurate statement to me. In that case my universe will vanish when I expire, but the physical things that make up my universe will indeed continue.
I was about to talk about perception of the universe here, then I started to think about it a bit more. What is "the universe" exactly? Isn't it just the totality of all things? In which case it is a grouping, rather than a physical object. If this is indeed the case the "universe" exists within our heads only, whilst the things that comprise the universe exist in physical actuallity.
Thoughts?
07 Jun 06
1 edit
Originally posted by EsotericBut on the other hand, we all "know" things about the universe that we cannot possibly imagine. We "know" that the universe has existed for 18 billion years or so, but I for one cannot imagine that period of time. I cannot imagine an infinite universe, but I also cannot imagine a wall at the end of the universe with a little sign saying "STOP, end of the universe, beware of the nothingness". So there are quite alot of things that I can't imagine, and I imagine most people are the same.
The Universe was created by our imagination. We all imagine what it is like, and no-one can disprove what you think the universe is. Therefore there can be infinite imagination as well.
I guess taking my previous post into account, I guess that there are more things within the grouping that I call 'universe' than I can imagine.
[edit; I suppose I imagine that I understand the grouping, but I also know that I cannot possibly know it perfectly.]