I continuously grapple with this intricate web of thought that intertwines infinity, atomic structure, and consciousness. It’s predicated on the assumption that if time truly is infinite, then there isn’t just a probability, but an inevitability, that all the matter in the universe will align exactly as they are now.
(I posted this over at c/stonerthoughts, where it will inevitably die without a single interaction, but this is an ongoing pervasive thought I have, and i just wanted to put it out there for more eyes to see.)
This possibility stems from the Poincaré recurrence theorem, a principle in mathematics and physics which suggests that certain systems will, given a sufficiently long but finite time, return to a state almost identical to their initial state. Now, if we consider the universe to be such a system, it implies that given infinite time, every atomic configuration that has ever occurred will inevitably reoccur.
Now, let’s venture deeper. If our consciousness is an emergent property of a specific atomic arrangement, then the recurrence of that atomic arrangement implies the recurrence of that conscious experience. Hence, if we’re bound to this specific arrangement of matter, and time is infinite, are we not then destined to relive this conscious experience an infinite number of times?
The implications are staggering. It suggests a form of cosmic reincarnation, a cyclic existence governed not by spiritual dogma but by the immutable laws of the universe.
My next step is trying to figure out how this concept could integrate with the theory of an afterlife. Also the infinite nature of the individuals conscience, being the observer and therefore the centre of their own universe.
What’s your take on this perspective? How does it change your understanding of consciousness, existence, and our role within this infinite cosmic dance?
I am so surprised to see someone else who has the same kind of “pervasive” thoughts that I do!
For a few years now my brain has been trying to grapple with a very similar intricate web of ideas albeit from a slightly different perspective.
I’ve always been agnostic but all of these thoughts stem from what I would call a spiritual experience where I didn’t see, but FELT, something akin to what you’re describing.
Have you heard of Panpsychism? It’s a philosophical view that’s been around for thousands of years that posits that everything is made up of consciousness. Contrary to the popular belief that consciousness arises from seemingly nowhere, panpsychists think that literally every atom in our universe is a building block of consciousness.
Given this concept, the best way I can describe my spiritual experience is through analogy. Imagine a computer monitor where millions of pixels are changing colors at random. Given an infinite amount of time it’s not too far fetched to imagine that eventually these pixels could align in such a way that the monitor will display a perfect image of your face. Given another infinite amount of time its not too far fetched to imagine that face now smiling or frowning.
I believe that our conscious experience is that thread through infinite time which binds these moments together giving an illusion that they are happening one after the other. Since our universe is governed by laws of physics (at least at our scale) only small “realistic” fluctuations in the image are acceptable.
I have a lot more thoughts on the matter but my wife is rushing us out for breakfast! I absolutely love your post - thanks for the lovely thought experiment.