All cosmological models of Universe are finite due to various reasons except for a few. Varkey (2) put forward a model of Universe as constituted by Cosmos and Chaos, the two evolving parts of Universe. Here Cosmos means “all formed and/or organised matters and energies of the Universe”. Chaos means “all unformed and unorganised particles, plasma, energies and unknown things”.
The Universe, considered infinite, is understood differently by different persons—philosophers, intellectuals and ordinary persons. Infinite is a multidimensional word with different meanings or depths like absolute, elusive, intangible, personal etc. Most basically the Universe is a ‘matters–energies continuum’. Space to start with is a concept. When matters change or when things happen, time comes into the scene as ‘times of change’ and ‘rate of change’. So matters and energies are more solid and fundamental than space and time.
Particles, energies and atoms caused the formation of atoms and compounds. Then cells, multicellular life and multi-limbed organisms evolved. All organisms—from unicellular bacteria to multi-limbed organisms—are evolved continua of ‘matters–energies–organisations–organisms–communities’. The Universe is potent, dynamic, dialectical, changing and evolving, involving numerous forces, elements, motions, and scales and is infinite and eternal.
The infinite Universe is modelled by cosmologists after long-term studies and research (1). All cosmological models of the Universe are finite due to various reasons, except for a few. Geocentric models were developed by ancient Greek and Indian philosophers. An infinite Universe consisting of atoms and void was put forward by Anaxagoras (1) (500–428 BCE).
Consider the model of the Big Bang by Friedmann–Lemaître (1). According to this theory, space and time merged together 13.787 ± 0.02 billion years ago to a ‘primeval atom’ and the Universe has been expanding ever since. Later, Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model. Newton developed the law of Universal Gravitation. An oscillating Universe was proposed by Friedmann (1920) where expansion and contraction occurred in cycles. Eddington (1930) introduced a static then expanding Universe.
Varkey (2) proposed a model of Universe as constituted by Cosmos and Chaos. Cosmos means “all formed and/or organised matters (e.g., atoms, cells, stars) and energies”. Chaos means “all unformed, unorganised particles, plasma, energies and unknown things”. Chaos is infinite, consisting of unorganised particles, plasma, and energies. Organisation begins with atoms, and atomic time. Hence, Chaos is a world of nil organisation, nil order and nil time—thus, eternal.
As atoms form, atomic time is born. When planets get organised, planetary time (day and night) starts. In life systems, biological time appears—birth, growth, maturity, reproduction, decay and death. Life cycles range from unicellular time to multi-limbed organism time. Life cycles range from unicellular time (cell division) to multi-limbed organisms' time of tens of years. Before digital and clock-time, only day and night time (planetary) and birth - death time existed.
Della Thompson (3) in the Concise Oxford Dictionary defines infinite as “boundless, endless, greater than any assignable quantity”. But what is the real or only meaning of these terms remains debatable. As one quote says: “my intellectual limits are my limits of knowing and limits of my Universe”. To a child, infinite means “very very big”; to a science graduate, “greater than anything thinkable”; to a philosopher, “an abstract word in thought only”. Hence, infinity is a multidimensional concept—absolute, elusive, intangible, personal.
The Universe is symbolised by the letter ‘U’ (2). It may be understood or misunderstood by ordinary people like farmers, simply by observing the stars. The terms Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Eternal and Infinite apply best to the Universe. The letter ‘U’ (with Cosmos, Chaos, and Intellect) symbolises the Universe fully. ‘I’ symbolises intellect, intelligence and instincts across mental types—intellectuals, ordinary persons and animals.
Most basically, the Universe is a ‘matters–energies continuum’. Space to start with is a concept, 'where matters exist is space'. Time arises with change, and is seen in the rate of change. Matter exists in different states like plasma, ions, gases, liquids, and solids depending on energy levels. Movements of matters depend on energy or activation levels and are measured in rates and frequencies.
From particles and energies came atoms and compounds, then proteins and cells. Cellular life evolved into multicellular life and multi-limbed organisms—ants, centipedes, dogs—then larger organisms like lions, chimpanzees and humans. All life forms are evolved continua of 'matters - energies - organisations - organisms - communities'.
The Universe as a whole can be understood through its fundamental law—its dialectical nature (4). This principle involves action–reaction, force–counterforce, progressive–regressive, etc. As Newton’s third law states: “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. This principle applies universally across all processes in nature. The Universe is potent, dynamic, dialectical, changing and evolving, involving numerous forces and energies, elements and masses, motions and organisations etc. - making it infinite and eternal.