Question

Assume that the universe has an edge. Placing yourself at that edge in a thought experiment, explain why this assumption violates the cosmological principle.

Short answer

According to the postulates of the cosmological principle, the universe cannot have an edge. Thus the assumption itself makes a violation of the cosmological principle.

Step-by-step solution

The cosmological principle

According to the cosmological principle, the distribution of matter in the universe is considered to be homogeneous and isotropic. Therefore, determining an edge point is impossible.

Determine if the assumption made violates the cosmological principle

Therefore, from the postulates of the cosmological principle, the universe cannot have an edge. Thus, it itself makes the assumption of placing ourselves at the edge of the universe a violation of the cosmological principle.