November 26, 2012
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This brief essay presents merely a personal understanding of the nature of reality. You’re welcome to read it for your enjoyment.
BASIC PREMISE
I’d like to posit a basic premise which will underlie much of what follows. Although it is self-evident, for me; I wish to state it explicitly. “A finite thing cannot fully contain an infinite thing.” We will see this applied in several ways as we continue. So let’s begin.
THE UNIVERSES
Imagine, if you will, a chalkboard. On it we will inscribe a circle. Not so large as to fill the board, but large enough for us to write inside it. We will label this circle “The Natural Universe”. Within it is contained all that we commonly think of as having a physical, tangible, or “real” existence. This universe is very large. It contains not only our world and everything we know of it; it also extends to include all known and suspected galaxies all the way to the furthest reaches of outer space. Again, this universe has “everything”.
Now, imagine inscribing a second circle on the chalkboard; the same size, and overlapping the first one by at least half. In other words, a Venn Diagram. We will label this circle “The Conceptual Universe”. Within it is contained every thought, every concept, and every intangible construct which has existence in any human mind; or even the possibility of coming into existence within any human mind. This includes languages, mathematical systems, definitions, and religious and philosophical constructions. Whether a thought has already been conceived by someone, or is merely waiting “somewhere” to be discovered, it is contained within this universe.
[Side note: Within the fields of math and science occasional references are made to “multiple universes” existing parallel to the one we know. These are said to explain certain anomalies of mathematical functions. However, these universes are theoretical ideas used for purposes of justifying mathematical equations. As such, they are contained within the Conceptual Universe I’ve described.]
Next we will look at the overlap of these two circles. It consists of everything from the natural universe which we have already discovered, defined, and learned to interact with or begin using. We will also include with this area a border region on each side which extends beyond the lines of overlap for a short distance.
Included in the cusp on the conceptual side are things of which we’ve conceived but which are not physical, or which have application within both universes. Examples would be mathematics and time. The laws of math seem to be only conceptual, yet they serve as a foundation for much in the natural world. Likewise time, although it seems only an abstract concept, manifests in the physical world as the process of change. This area also includes religion, philosophy, and the supernatural.
Included in the cusp on the natural side are those things which have a physical existence, but which we are only just discovering and defining. Examples would be black holes, boson particles, quanta, and such. We’ve found them to have an existence, but they are still beyond our understanding for the most part. As these things become more fully understood, they will move to become included within the main area of overlap between the two universes as being both real and understood. This area also includes the sciences, engineering, and quantum physics.
You will soon notice that both the Natural and the Conceptual Universes have areas not included in the main overlap or in the extended cusp zones. The excluded area of the Natural Universe contains all those things which are “real”, or physical, or tangible, but of which we as humans are as yet unaware. This includes not only the bulk of our own galaxy, as well as those extending to the ends of space; but also those objects and particles close to us, but not yet found. There are also things in the universe which are real but which we are incapable of comprehending. The excluded area of the Conceptual Universe contains all the concepts we haven’t yet conceived, the thoughts we haven’t yet thunk, and the intangible systems which exist and have an effect on our world even though we are oblivious to them.
We now come to the basic premise noted at the head of this article. Our first application of it will be to recognize that a finite human mind cannot fully contain all that exists in the natural universe or the conceptual universe. There is far too much information to be learned in a single lifetime. And even if someone were to find a way to live multiple lifetimes, there is far more data than can be contained within a single human mind. Further, even if an as-yet-unknown object or thought may be potentially discoverable by a human mind, that doesn’t mean that it necessarily will be. Thus, we cannot know all there is to know.
UNDERSTANDING THE UNIVERSES
The natural universe is infinite, or seemingly so; and the conceptual universe is infinite, or seemingly so. With mankind constrained by the limitation of being finite, we have learned to adapt by having different people specialize in different areas of study, then sharing what they believe to be the most useful information. We have those who specialize in preserving what has already been learned and conveying it to succeeding generations. We have those who specialize in expanding the boundaries of what is known of the natural universe to include newly discovered objects. We have those who are focused on finding and explaining those abstract concepts which help explain the mysteries which have puzzled mankind for millennia. If we indicated these specialists on our diagram they would each appear as just a small dot within one of the circles, no larger than a period at the end of a sentence. Even a broadly studied renaissance man would only be represented by a small handful of tiny dots scattered in selected places around the circles.
The funny thing about mankind and this system of learning is that the specialists in each area eventually come to believe that the part they know reasonably explains the whole. This then leads to conflicting theories and interdisciplinary arguments about whose theory is the “right” one.
This brings us again to our basic premise. In this application, a specialist does not and cannot have the full picture; thus he should not presume to discredit the findings the specialists in other areas. To be specific, neither the scientists nor the religionists have any basis to deny the validity of the other. Both should recognize that “partial” knowledge is necessarily inaccurate, and thus open to correction as new things are learned. Science and Religion both have histories of presenting as truth various “facts” which they later were compelled to retract. So they should be a little more doubtful of their own “infallibility”. Simply put, the human mind cannot contain all there is to know in both the natural and conceptual universes; so it is foolish to close one’s mind to further learning and declare, “I know all.”
BEYOND THE UNIVERSES
Here then we come to another factor in our paradigm. Where did the Natural Universe and all it contains come from? And how did all those intangible ideas of the Conceptual Universe come to exist independently of mankind? Let’s look again at our diagram. I would like to inscribe a line which surrounds the previous two circles. However, to merely draw a larger circle around them would tend to suggest the possibility of something more outside that circle. Our minds have been taught that if there’s an inside of a circle, then there’s also an outside. So rather than a circle going just around the outside of the previous circles, let’s instead draw a rectangular line all the way at the very edges of the chalkboard, then state that it’s to be understood the line extends even further, but we’re limited by our diagram.
This new area represents a power and intelligence which exists outside of the Natural and Conceptual Universes I’ve described. It goes beyond everything real and physical, and even goes beyond the possibility of our thought. At the same time, however, part of this external factor exists within our two universes. So parts of this external power can be known; but only parts.
Visiting our premise again, although a finite thing cannot contain an infinite thing; this infinite and intelligent power contains both of our described universes, and much more beyond. So even though we may know of this power in part, our understanding will always be incomplete and inaccurate.
COOPERATIVE STUDY
Despite all that religionists think they know, their conception of this power is far more limited than the reality. This point is where many religions make error, and thus lose credibility with studies having a different focus. The claim is made that the intelligent power is fairly well understood, that it possesses characteristics similar to mankind’s, that certain future events are known to be pending, and that these events will destroy everyone who doesn’t behave in a prescribed manner. This claim is so illogical and offensive that it causes all but the most confirmed religionists to reject it. The unfortunate thing is that in rejecting this single theory, many also reject the entire field of study as well. Religions know only a small part of a limited area of the big picture. So they would do well to be less dogmatic. Just continue learning more of that part of your area which it’s possible to know; and allow others the opportunity to learn their areas too.
Neither science nor religion are exclusively in one of the two universes described. Both studies involve both natural and conceptual features. It is generally recognized that science is studying the natural universe and using conceptual constructs to explain their findings. However, the common thought is that religion deals mostly in the conceptual area with very little need to involve the natural, except in the most basic functions. Yet this idea is incorrect. Religion too has a means of explaining certain aspects of the natural universe; just as does science. Unfortunately these alternate explanations from the two fields often come into conflict with each other due to differing methodologies and differing foundational premises. Both would be better served by trying to bring the two systems into closer alignment with each other. For there is much each can learn from the other.
Scientists could add quite a lot to their understanding of the Natural Universe if they could only get past their aversion to everything the religionists say. Consequently there is a large aspect of the Natural Universe of which they remain ignorant due to its association with religious thoughts; this is the spiritual realm. Although it is not physical, it is definitely “real”, and has an impact on things that are physical.
For example, the beings which religions refer to as “angels” and “demons” are not just intangible thoughts or ideas limited to the Conceptual Universe. They are actual beings in the Natural Universe who have intelligence and who regularly interact with the physical world. The spiritual realm has its own systems of laws which regulate its attributes, corresponding to our natural laws (like our laws of gravity, electro-magnetism, temporality, etc.), which govern the abilities and activities of these beings. Thus there are only limited and specific ways in which that realm can interface with our world. Even so, there is the possibility of certain types of interaction. Yet scientists hesitate to consider this due to the heretofore association of spiritual beings with only the religionists. Perhaps the scientists wouldn’t find this realm such anathema if they would come to recognize that it bears many of the qualities they describe as a theoretical “parallel universe” coexistent with our own. Although scientists are accepting of this latter possibility; as soon as particular words are used — like angel, demon, spiritual, etc. — their minds snap shut and there is no further exploration of this area. This is too bad because a scientific study of this subject, which accepted a few of religion’s simplest premises, could yield discoveries potentially larger than those currently being celebrated by the study of quantum particles.
THE INTELLIGENT POWER
As already stated, the intelligent power is beyond our full comprehension. However, there are things which can be know about it. First, it has an interest in mankind. The Universes have existence because of it. And it seems that, like many creative beings, it has an involvement in its own thoughts and works. There may be more similarities with our way of thinking; but we must be careful in declaring that we know how it thinks. Nevertheless, there are already some observations.
The Power exists outside of Time. It doesn’t experience the past and the future the way we do. It’s existence is like an “eternal present”; everything is always “now”.
The Power has already thought of every idea or concept which it is possible for us to conceive, and has already developed every system we need to understand to use the areas of the two universes made available to us.
It is the Power which caused some of these ideas to take on a physical, spiritual, or otherwise real existence, and given them the ability to interact with each other. Some of the objects have also been given what humans call “life”; and some have even been given intelligence.
Our task is to discover ways in which to connect to the Power. Then we’ll gain much new understanding and access to abilities we’ve never even imagined yet.
OTHER PHILOSOPHERS’ IDEAS
Renee’ Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am.” By this he seemed to mean that because he was able to think, that was how and why he existed. I differ from this a bit. Yes, the lack of thought means the end of existence; doctors call this “brain dead”. But I don’t hold that it is our mental activity which causes us to come into existence. Rather, it is the Power’s thoughts which caused us to exist.
Immanuel Kant and William of Ockham went even further than Descartes and said, we as beings exist only as thought; and the world around us exists only because we’re thinking of it. Things are not really physical; they are only thoughts which make us believe they’re real. I disagree with most of this. Again I would say it’s not mankind’s thoughts which bring into existence the world and everything in it, including ourselves. I would agree that everyone and everything came into being and continues to exist as a manifestation of only thoughts; but that it is the thoughts of the Power which caused it, not us.
Plato spoke of a “third realm” in which conceptual constructs (forms) originated and existed independently of mankind; and that these archetypes were waiting there for us to discover them. I agree with him on this; at least to the extent that I understand him.
Aristotle spoke of a force which he called the “first cause”; which is basically a description of the Power.
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