LETTER : Infinity is a long time in politics

From Mr Ardon Lyon

Sir: My colleague Peter Cave's witty attack on Paul Davies' theological physics can, perhaps, be made even clearer by amendments to two of his examples ("An infinite possibility of uncovering metaphorical monkey business", 8 August).

Presumably, there was a possibility that Shakespeare would write Bacon's works and sail to America; but even if time is infinite, this possibility will never be actualised. In case you think this is playing fast and loose with a peculiarity about the past, consider the fact that it is clearly a possibility that Michael Heseltine will become Prime Minister and also a possibility - one with greater probability - that he will not. But not both of these possibilities will occur, no matter how long time continues. This shows not only that not all possibilities will occur in an infinite time, but that they can't, on pain of logical contradiction.

Some theologians may welcome contradictions, but the open-minded should not.

Yours faithfully,

Ardon Lyon

Division of Philosophy

School of Social Sciences

City University

London, EC1

13 August