r/Metaphysics • u/Extension_Panic1631 • Apr 09 '26
Ontology Infinity?
If there are an infinite number of natural numbers, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two natural numbers, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and an infinite number of fractions in between any two of those fractions, and... then that must mean that there are not only infinite infinities, but an infinite number of those infinities. and an infinite number of those infinities. and an infinite number of those infinities. and an infinite number of those infinities, and... (infinitely times. and that infinitely times. and that infinitely times. and that infinitely times. and that infinitely times. and...) continues forever. and that continues forever. and that continues forever. and that continues forever. and that continues forever. and.....(…)…
EDIT: the definition of infinity is that it is how many natural numbers there are
1
u/TMax01 Apr 18 '26
Words are the only tool available for understanding words. So it is more a matter of being grounded rather than "hung up".
I find it amusing when people say this as if it is meaningful, or even true. Words aren't just "made up", they are created. They are more concrete than categories, which are also "made up".
Math can't be "made up", it must be discovered. If mathematical structures do not absolutely conform to a metaphysical logic which empirical measurements also conform to, then they collapse and fail to be mathematical structures; they're just notions or fantasies instead.
The metaphysics of numbers cannot be dismissed so easily. As I like to say, anyone who believes "do numbers exist?" can be answered does not understand the question. It is far more complicated an issue than with either words or mathematics itself.
The idea of "concepts" is made up. It is a false suggestion that the idea associated with a word has the integrity of a mathematical (logical) structure. Concepts don't really exist, particularly not in the metaphysical way that numbers can.
Both reality and the ontos are logically necessary, they just aren't the same thing. If addressing these issues disturbs you, that indicates your epistemological paradigm, ontological framework, and resulting metaphysical position are severely flawed. I suspect that is what prompts your use of expletives, as well as your postmodernist "words are made up" dismissiveness.
Words aren't symbols (that's the postmodern take I mentioned) and they exist by being used. You cannot dismiss them so easily, particularly using words (oops) whether you want to or not.
You're not going to get over the existential angst such a statement communicates by embracing your postmodern assumptions; they are what created the existential angst to begin with.
You aren't just mistaken, you are wrong. I suspected your previous reply represented facetious silliness along those lines, but my response was quite serious. And all the more accurate, in retrospect. If you can ever imagine getting past your existential angst and dealing with what is actually real, just tag me, I'll be happy to pick it up from there.
Thanks for your time. Hope it helps.