Finitelooking

Finitelooking is an adjective used in mathematics, computer science, and philosophy to describe systems, models, or observations that give the appearance of finiteness to a viewer, even though the underlying structure may be infinite or unbounded. An object or process is finitelooking when practical constraints such as finite time, limited data, or a restricted scope of observation obscure potential infinitude.

Coined as a compound of finite and looking, the term emphasizes perceptual or epistemic constraints rather than ontological finitude. It is used mainly in discussions of modelling, simulation, and epistemology to distinguish what is observed from what is possible in principle.

Examples include truncated mathematical series that are treated as if they terminate; finite-horizon simulations of inherently infinite processes; discrete approximations to continuous dynamics; and interfaces that reveal only a finite subset of possible states, making the system appear finite. In each case, the observed finiteness reflects practical limits rather than ultimate boundaries.

Discussants note that finitelooking models can be useful for computation and decision-making, but they risk misrepresenting the true scope of a problem if the horizon or data window is chosen inappropriately. The term underscores the distinction between observable finiteness and true infinitude.

Related concepts include finite-state models, truncation, horizon effects, bounded rationality, pseudo-finite models, and observable limitations.