Heller M, Woodin W.H. (eds.) Infinity. New research frontiers (CUP, 2011)(ISBN 1107003873)(O)(327s)_MAml_

214 infinity and the nostalgia of the starsA Euclidean space, for simple topological realizations, is infinite. New observationsexpected in the near future may improve our understanding and possibly provide newbreakthroughs. Several reasons, however, lead us to conclude that questions regardingthe “entire universe” are ultimately undecidable. In particular, we have shown that thestatement that the universe is spatially flat is unprovable.Even assuming an ideal measurement, fundamental uncertainties (cosmic variance,superhorizon fluctuations) arise. Furthermore, flatness does not necessarily imply aninfinite space, if the topology is not simply connected.Sometimes, aesthetic reasons are advocated in support of various forms of Copernicanprinciples in cosmology. Similar arguments are used, more or less implicitly, inconnection with multiverse visions that saturate the space of all physical possibilities(plenitude). On the same aesthetic grounds, however, we note that these scenariosrequire us to abandon concepts such as rareness, uniqueness, and unexpectedness,whose aesthetic significance appears undisputable and perhaps necessary. We need aconcept of infinity in which genuine novelty can happen.The notion of infinity of spacetime, or of other physical quantities, does not coincidewith the Infinite as the ultimate object of human aspiration and desire. We haveidentified a number of features used in modern artistic works to express metaphysicalinfinity. We have pointed out that our view of the universe, as it emerges from currentastrophysical observation, is characterized by many of those features that convey aestheticforce to infinity in artworks. In this view, our physical universe may be seen asan ultimate metaphor of the Infinite.The Judeo-Christian tradition suggests several expressions of infinity as an attributeof God and as a capacity of human nature. The belief that each human being has a directrelationship with the Infinite provides a solid foundation to the irreducible dignity ofthe individual, a foundation that is hard to maintain otherwise. This is reflected in thefact that infinity is an ineradicable element of the most significant dimensions of humanexperience, such as desire, reason, and love. Modern science provides a view of thephysical universe that may enrich our appreciation of the infinity of God as expressedin the biblical language. The Christian image of the divine is the fascinating reality ofa God who becomes involved within the finite horizon of space and time, sharing thedrama of human existence.ReferencesAlbrecht, A., and Sorbo, L. 2004. Can the universe afford inflation? Physical Review D 70: 06352.Astier, P., et al. 2006. The Supernova Legacy Survey: measurement of M, and w from the firstyear data set. Astronomy and Astrophysics 447: 31.Barrow, J. D. 1995. The Artful Universe. Oxford: Clarendon.Barrow, J. D. 1999. Impossibility. The Limits of Science and the Science of Limits. London: Vintage.Barrow, J. D. 2005. The Infinite Book. London: Jonathan Cape.Barrow, J. D., and Tipler, F. J. 1986. The Anthropic Cosmological Principle. Oxford: Clarendon.Beckwith, S. V. W., et al. 2006. The Hubble Ultra Deep Field. Astronomical Journal 132: 1729–55.Bennett, C. L., et al. 2003. First-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) observations:Foreground emission. Astrophysical Journal Supplement 148: 97.