Finiteism

Finiteism is a philosophical stance that posits the universe, or reality as a whole, is finite in extent. This finitude can refer to various aspects, such as spatial extent, temporal duration, or the number of fundamental constituents.

In cosmology, finiteism suggests that the universe has a boundary, unlike an infinite universe which would extend endlessly in all directions. This concept has been explored in various historical and contemporary cosmological models. Historically, discussions often revolved around the idea of a geocentric or anthropocentric universe with a defined limit. Modern cosmological discussions, however, often consider a spatially finite but unbounded universe, such as one with positive curvature, where one could theoretically travel in a straight line and eventually return to their starting point.

Beyond spatial finitude, finiteism can also apply to time. A temporally finite universe would have a beginning and/or an end, or a finite duration. The Big Bang theory, for instance, suggests a beginning to the observable universe's expansion, aligning with a temporally finite perspective, at least in its current phase.

Furthermore, finiteism can extend to the number of fundamental entities or properties in reality. For example, a finiteist might argue that there are only a finite number of elementary particles, fundamental forces, or even possible states of affairs. This contrasts with views that allow for infinite divisibility or an infinite number of possibilities. The implications of finiteism vary depending on the specific aspect of finitude being considered, touching upon fundamental questions in metaphysics, cosmology, and the philosophy of science.