8. The Cosmos

Adrian Moore explores the idea of infinity through history.

An episode of the A History of the Infinite podcast, hosted by BBC Radio 4, titled "8. The Cosmos" was published on September 28, 2016 and runs 13 minutes.

September 28, 2016 ·13m · A History of the Infinite

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Summary

Does space go on for ever? Are there infinitely many stars? These are some of the questions Adrian Moore explores in this episode in his series about philosophical thought concerning the infinite. With the help of the theories of the Ancient Greeks through to those of modern cosmologists, Adrian examines the central question of whether our universe is finite or infinite. For most of us, looking up at the stars gives us a sense of infinity but, as Adrian discovers, there is a strong body of opinion which suggests that space is finite, albeit unbounded. This is a difficult idea to grasp, but by inviting us to think of ourselves as ants, astrophysics professor Jo Dunkley attempts to explain it.Adrian also tackles the idea of the expanding universe and the logic that leads cosmologists to argue that it all started with a big bang, and may all end with a big crunch. Finally, we discover from cosmologist John Barrow how the appearance of an infinity in scientists’ calculations sends them straight back to the drawing board. The infinite, which the Ancient Greeks found so troubling, has lost none of its power to disturb. Producer: Philippa GoodrichA Juniper production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2016.

Episode Description

Does space go on for ever? Are there infinitely many stars?

These are some of the questions Adrian Moore explores in this episode in his series about philosophical thought concerning the infinite.

With the help of the theories of the Ancient Greeks through to those of modern cosmologists, Adrian examines the central question of whether our universe is finite or infinite.

For most of us, looking up at the stars gives us a sense of infinity but, as Adrian discovers, there is a strong body of opinion which suggests that space is finite, albeit unbounded. This is a difficult idea to grasp, but by inviting us to think of ourselves as ants, astrophysics professor Jo Dunkley attempts to explain it.

Adrian also tackles the idea of the expanding universe and the logic that leads cosmologists to argue that it all started with a big bang, and may all end with a big crunch.

Finally, we discover from cosmologist John Barrow how the appearance of an infinity in scientists’ calculations sends them straight back to the drawing board. The infinite, which the Ancient Greeks found so troubling, has lost none of its power to disturb.

Producer: Philippa Goodrich

A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2016.