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| − | '''Infinity''' means beyond enumeration.<ref>This improved definition comports best with the use of the term in mathematics, in everyday life, and across cultures and languages.</ref> Appreciation of infinity is remarkably useful intellectually and even on a personal level. | + | '''Infinity''' means beyond enumeration.<ref>This improved definition comports best with the use of the term in mathematics, in everyday life, and across cultures and languages.</ref> Appreciation of infinity is remarkably useful mentally, emotionally, and in a personal level. |
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| − | In practical terms, infinite means more than one can productively use. The food supply is essentially infinite in cultures where obesity is a problem; wealth is essentially infinite for those who cannot spend it all in their lifetime; and time is infinite for those who waste it. Increasing food, wealth, or time in those situations is virtually meaningless. Some scoff at primitive numbering systems that quickly reach infinity rather than using large numbers. but that can actually be a more effective way of thinking about enormous quantities.
| + | The food supply is essentially infinite in cultures where obesity is a problem; wealth is essentially infinite for those who cannot spend it all in their lifetime; and time is infinite for those who waste it. Increasing food, wealth, or time in those situations is meaningless. Some scoff at primitive numbering systems that quickly reach infinity rather than using large numbers, but that can actually be a very effective way of thinking about quantities larger than what is meaningful. |
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| | Understanding infinity has advanced many fields, such as: | | Understanding infinity has advanced many fields, such as: |
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| | *[[physics]] through the [[Big Bang]] (infinite [[energy]] density) and the speculative [[black holes]] (infinite mass density); | | *[[physics]] through the [[Big Bang]] (infinite [[energy]] density) and the speculative [[black holes]] (infinite mass density); |
| | *[[politics]] through dictatorships (infinite authority) and [[separation of powers]] to avoid infinite power; and | | *[[politics]] through dictatorships (infinite authority) and [[separation of powers]] to avoid infinite power; and |
| − | *[[religion]] through the concepts like [[eternity]] (infinite time). | + | *[[religion]] through the concepts like [[eternity]] (infinite time), [[Heaven]]/[[Hell]] (infinite joy/suffering), and [[faith]] (infinite belief). |
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| | In addition, recognition of infinity — such as infinite time or infinite strength — is helpful on a personal level in dealing with adversity. Infinite time means infinite money, since time is convertible into money. [[Jesus]] often emphasized the concept of infinity in his [[miracle]]s and [[parable]]s. He rejected the mistaken view of the ancient Greeks that infinity is non-existent and incoherent.<ref>{{cquote|The Ancient Greeks generally conceived of the infinite as formless, characterless, indefinite, indeterminate, chaotic, and unintelligible. The term had negative connotations and was especially vague, having no clear criteria for distinguishing the finite from the infinite.}} [http://www.iep.utm.edu/infinite/] | | In addition, recognition of infinity — such as infinite time or infinite strength — is helpful on a personal level in dealing with adversity. Infinite time means infinite money, since time is convertible into money. [[Jesus]] often emphasized the concept of infinity in his [[miracle]]s and [[parable]]s. He rejected the mistaken view of the ancient Greeks that infinity is non-existent and incoherent.<ref>{{cquote|The Ancient Greeks generally conceived of the infinite as formless, characterless, indefinite, indeterminate, chaotic, and unintelligible. The term had negative connotations and was especially vague, having no clear criteria for distinguishing the finite from the infinite.}} [http://www.iep.utm.edu/infinite/] |