Abstract
THE theory of relativity tells us that observable space may not be infinite in extent, but it does not postulate a boundary; "finite but unbounded" is the usual phrase. The theory gives no support to the idea that observable events can be influenced by conditions outside the region of possible observation, nor does it set any limits to time. In this respect time differs from space. The last paragraph of Colonel Edgeworth's letter is perfectly correct in principle, but the range of our present knowledge can scarcely be called infinitesimal. A quantity may change so slowly as to appear constant, but the progress of science consists partly in extending the range of observation so as to detect such changes; the slowing down of the earth's rotation, and the reddening of nebular light, however it be interpreted, are examples. It is always possible, of course (unless constancy is postulated by definition), to say that an apparently constant phenomenon is changing too slowly for detection; but any theory which included this assumption would probably give some indication of the rate of change, and further knowledge would enable us to determine whether the assumption was valid. The question of retaining the theory would then be decided on grounds other than convenience.
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DINGLE, H. Boundaries of Space and Time. Nature 154, 305 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1038/154305b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/154305b0
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