We have never observed infinity in nature. Whenever you have

"We have never observed infinity in nature. Whenever you have infinities in a theory, that's where the theory fails as a description of nature. And if space was born in the Big Bang, yet is infinite now, we are forced to believe that it's instantaneously, infinitely big. It seems absurd." These words, spoken by the brilliant cosmologist Janna Levin, touch on one of the most profound mysteries of the universe: the concept of infinity. Levin’s insight is not just an intellectual puzzle, but a deep reflection on how our understanding of the cosmos is constrained by the limits of human perception. Infinity, as a concept, challenges our very understanding of reality, and Levin draws attention to the fact that while we can theorize about infinite space, infinity itself has never been directly observed in the natural world. It forces us to confront the limitations of our theories and to question whether the answers we seek about the universe can truly be contained by the finite minds we possess.

In the ancient world, thinkers like Pythagoras and Plato wrestled with similar cosmological questions, wondering about the nature of the universe and its infinite nature. The Greeks saw the circle as the perfect form, symbolizing the eternal and the infinite. Plato spoke of a world of perfect forms, an abstract, unchanging realm that existed outside of the material world. But while the ancients could imagine infinity, they could never observe it, and thus their philosophies were bound by the limitations of their time. Levin’s words echo this ancient struggle. Just as the Greeks wrestled with the idea of the infinite, so too do modern physicists face the challenge of describing a universe that, in some theories, seems to stretch into the infinite without end. Yet, as Levin points out, this concept may be fundamentally incompatible with our observations of nature.

The Big Bang theory, which suggests that the universe began as a singularity—a point of infinite density and heat—poses a similar conundrum. The very origin of space itself, as theorized by the Big Bang, seems to imply that space must have expanded from a point of nothingness into the vast and seemingly infinite universe we observe today. But Levin’s statement casts a shadow of doubt on this theory. If space was born from the Big Bang, how can it now be infinite? The notion that space could suddenly become infinitely large in an instant seems to defy the very logic of the finite world we experience. Here, Levin is reminding us that our theories, however elegant or groundbreaking, must ultimately be consistent with the observable universe. If they lead us into contradictions—like the concept of infinite space—they may be flawed, or at least incomplete.

To understand this more clearly, we must look at the history of scientific revolutions, where new theories often arose only when older models failed to explain nature. The work of Copernicus, who proposed that the Earth was not the center of the universe but merely one planet among many, shifted humanity's understanding of space. For centuries, the idea that the Earth was at the center of the cosmos had been unchallenged, but Copernicus’s theory turned that belief on its head. Similarly, Einstein’s theory of relativity showed us that space and time are not absolute, but are shaped by the presence of mass and energy. Yet, even as these groundbreaking theories expanded our understanding, they too face their limits—much as Levin’s statement suggests. Relativity does not fully align with quantum mechanics, and the search for a unified theory of everything remains unresolved. Just as past revolutions in scientific thought required a shift in understanding, so too may the concept of infinity be one that is destined to evolve as our understanding deepens.

Levin’s critique forces us to confront a deeper, more philosophical question: what is the nature of truth itself? Are the theories we hold to be absolute, or do they merely reflect our limited understanding of the universe? For millennia, humanity sought to understand the nature of the gods through myth and religion, often accepting what could not be proven as truth. The ancient Greeks built their philosophies on the idea that reason and observation were the keys to understanding the cosmos, but even they could not claim to have unlocked its deepest mysteries. Today, we stand in a similar position: our scientific theories, no matter how sophisticated, may one day give way to a deeper, more comprehensive understanding. Just as the philosophers of old struggled to define the limits of human knowledge, we too must ask ourselves whether our theories are complete, or whether we are still on the edge of something far greater and more incomprehensible than we can imagine.

The lesson Levin offers is one of humility and curiosity. The universe is vast and its mysteries, though we have uncovered many, are far from being fully understood. It is crucial for us to acknowledge the limitations of our current knowledge and to approach new discoveries with the understanding that what we know is but a small fragment of a much greater whole. As we journey further into the cosmos, we must remain open to the possibility that the answers we seek may lie beyond the current frameworks we’ve built. In your own life, take this lesson to heart: the search for truth is not a destination but a journey, one that requires both patience and openness. Whether you seek understanding in the sciences, in personal growth, or in relationships, remember that every answer you uncover is merely a stepping stone to a deeper truth. Embrace uncertainty, for it is in the mystery that growth and discovery lie.

In your own exploration, do not be afraid to question the limits of what you know. Just as Levin challenges our understanding of infinity, challenge yourself to see beyond the obvious, to look deeper into the unknown with wonder and humility. In doing so, you may find not just answers, but the tools to reshape your understanding of the world itself. Keep your mind open, and remember that the truth is not always found in what is immediately observable, but in the willingness to ask the questions that lead you to new horizons.