(February 14, 2018 at 10:55 pm)RoadRunner79 Wrote: The term actual infinity is contradictory.
Quote:The mathematical meaning of the term "actual" in actual infinity is synonymous with definite, completed, extended or existential, but not to be mistaken for physically existing. [ wiki ]
Infinite of course refers to limitless or endless. It cannot be ended, or completed. It cannot be contained or actualized in it's entirety or limited. Therefore when you put the two together, it is a contradiction.
Quote:Infinity turns out to be the opposite of what people say it is. It is not 'that which has nothing beyond itself' that is infinite, but 'that which always has something beyond itself'. (Aristotle)
Infinity means that there is no limit, that there is always something more. You cannot bind it and say "here is infinity" at any given point. You will have a potential infinity, which may be increased.
Wiki articles tend to be a confusing mess, and it's not always clear who is saying what, and in response to what, and in what context.
Yes, mathematical infinity doesn't automatically translate to physical infinity but, short of evidence to the contrary, it does mean that it is at least possible in the actual world. If there are logical constraints in the physical world that would prevent an actual infinity from being a thing, what are they then? Point them out if you have any.
Why can't a physical infinity have ALL the elements present already? Maybe your problem is that you're focusing on the "ends" too much and thinking about how you are able to get there? How about thinking the elements are all there, but as for whether or not I can go through them one by one is another story?
