Eternal return
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| + | {{TOCright}}'''Eternal return''' (also known as "'''eternal recurrence'''") is a concept which posits that the [[universe]] has been recurring, and will continue to recur in a self-similar form an [[infinity|infinite]] number of times. The concept has roots in [[ancient Egypt]], and was subsequently taken up by the [[Pythagoreans]] and [[Stoics]]. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the notion is supported in the book of [[Ecclesiastes]]. With the decline of [[classical antiquity|antiquity]] and the spread of [[Christianity]], the concept fell into disuse, though [[Nietzsche|Friedrich Nietzsche]] briefly resurrected it. | ||
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| + | In addition, the philosophical concept of eternal recurrence was addressed by [[Arthur Schopenhauer]]. It is a purely [[physics|physical]] concept, involving no "[[reincarnation]]", but the return of beings in the same bodies. Time is viewed as being not [[linear]] but [[wheel of time|cyclical]]. | ||
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| + | The basic premise is that the [[universe]] is limited in extent and contains a finite amount of [[matter]], while [[time]] is viewed as being infinite. The universe has no starting or ending [[state (physics)|state]], while the matter comprising it is constantly changing its state. The number of possible changes is finite, and so sooner or later the same state will recur. | ||
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| + | Physicists such as [[Stephen Hawking]] and [[J. Richard Gott]] have proposed models by which the (or a) universe could undergo [[time travel]], provided the balance between mass and energy created the appropriate cosmological geometry. | ||
| + | More philosophical concepts from physics, such as Hawking's "[[arrow of time]]", for example, discuss cosmology as proceeding up to a certain point, whereafter it undergoes a [[time reversal]] (which, as a consequence of [[T-symmetry]], is thought to bring about a chaotic state due to thermodynamic [[entropy]]). | ||
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| + | The [[oscillatory universe]] model in physics could be provided as an example of how the universe cycles through the same events infinitely. | ||
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| + | [[Peter Lynds]] has proposed a model in which time is [[cyclic]], and the universe repeats exactly an infinite number of times. Because it is the exact same cycle that repeats, however, it can also be interpreted as happening just once in relation to time. | ||
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Revision as of 09:40, 23 June 2008
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Template:TOCrightEternal return (also known as "eternal recurrence") is a concept which posits that the universe has been recurring, and will continue to recur in a self-similar form an infinite number of times. The concept has roots in ancient Egypt, and was subsequently taken up by the Pythagoreans and Stoics. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the notion is supported in the book of Ecclesiastes. With the decline of antiquity and the spread of Christianity, the concept fell into disuse, though Friedrich Nietzsche briefly resurrected it.
In addition, the philosophical concept of eternal recurrence was addressed by Arthur Schopenhauer. It is a purely physical concept, involving no "reincarnation", but the return of beings in the same bodies. Time is viewed as being not linear but cyclical.
The basic premise is that the universe is limited in extent and contains a finite amount of matter, while time is viewed as being infinite. The universe has no starting or ending state, while the matter comprising it is constantly changing its state. The number of possible changes is finite, and so sooner or later the same state will recur.
Physicists such as Stephen Hawking and J. Richard Gott have proposed models by which the (or a) universe could undergo time travel, provided the balance between mass and energy created the appropriate cosmological geometry. More philosophical concepts from physics, such as Hawking's "arrow of time", for example, discuss cosmology as proceeding up to a certain point, whereafter it undergoes a time reversal (which, as a consequence of T-symmetry, is thought to bring about a chaotic state due to thermodynamic entropy).
The oscillatory universe model in physics could be provided as an example of how the universe cycles through the same events infinitely.
Peter Lynds has proposed a model in which time is cyclic, and the universe repeats exactly an infinite number of times. Because it is the exact same cycle that repeats, however, it can also be interpreted as happening just once in relation to time.
