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THE SCIENCE OF META-PHYSICS

Science Beyond Physics :  

Until the end of the middle ages, Western Theologians and Philosophers thought of metaphysics as an integral part of the discipline of Science, defined as the expansion and refinement of human understanding by all means possible. However, the primary focus of most intellectuals was on esoteric knowledge of the heavens, so they gladly left more practical, mundane pursuits to the peasants and tradesmen, who got their hands dirty as they gained pragmatic knowledge. But the Renaissance and Enlightenment era marked a shift of emphasis from theories of the untouchable heavens to more practical, hands-on experiments with real-world things. Unlike Ptolemy, Galileo didn’t have to depend on Pure Reason to reveal the nature of celestial bodies. Instead, he used an optical instrument to close the distance between his eye and the objects above. Likewise, he corrected some ancient misunderstandings about gravity by actually comparing the behavior of pebbles and cannonballs. And yet there was still a profound gap between the hand of the scientist and some of the intangible objects of their study, such as gravity; a gulf that could only be bridged with reason and imagination –-the soft-edged tools of metaphysicians.

For Galileo, gravity was still a metaphysical mystery that he sought to investigate with physical methods. Two millennia earlier, Aristotle had metaphorically compared natural Gravity to human Love, since its primary feature seemed to be an “attraction” between Earth and objects. But Galileo was not content with such poetic analogies; he wanted to discover predictable Laws of natural forces. By following those hard-learned mundane methods, amateur scientists gradually converted ancient abstract metaphysical concepts into useful concrete physical principles. And yet, to this day the successful scientific tactic continues to encounter new chasms of ignorance that can only be crossed with those ancient instruments of philosophical experimentation : mental models and leaps of logic.

Five centuries after Galileo, astronomers continue to find new mysteries in the invisible realm of gravity. Take Dark Matter and Dark Energy for example. They are currently nothing more than names for mathematical abstractions that insistently point in the direction of unseen realities. No one knows what those numerical necessities are physically, only that they are mandatory metaphysically. However, I suspect that they will remain in the murky mists beyond empirical physics for a while. Any near-term progress will instead result from careful application of conceptual tools developed by the post-empirical Information Sciences. One such instrument is Fuzzy Logic, which gives us a handle to grasp slippery subjects that once were relegated to the dustbin of metaphysics. When Einstein reported that all things are relative, many of the ancient certainties of philosophy and religion were revealed to be arbitrary opinions on topics of ignorance. That’s why modern scientists must learn to be content with *Fuzzy Faith*,  which finds little t truth somewhere in the middle between extreme, dogmatic beliefs.

The frustrating uncertainty inherent in metaphysical research should not deter us from exploring the dark continent of our ignorance though. Instead intrepid pioneers must continue to embark on voyages of discovery with the bravado of adventurers, but with the humility of responsible thinkers. The lure of exotic new truths, long concealed in myths and legends, will inspire treasure-seekers. But reports of fantastic cities of gold, should always be received with the measure of skepticism that is due all fantasies. Prudent investors will restrain their faith until the evidence warrants the gamble. What I mean to signify by all this metaphorizing is that the Enformationism hypothesis, while scientifically valid, is a dull tool for cutting to the truth. Reports of Extrasensory Perception, and Water Memory, and Wandering Spirits should be held to high standards of evidence. Indeed, as Carl Sagan prudently advised, “extraordinary claims, require extraordinary evidence”. But new, hard evidence will never be found if we never venture beyond our current sphere of understanding. It now seems fairly certain that matter and energy are ultimately forms of the metaphysical stuff we know as Information. Yet any inferences and claims beyond that bare assertion cannot be established as absolute Truth by reason alone. Therefore, we need to make a clear distinction between what we know by personal experience, and what we believe by faith, or by hearsay. ●

*FUZZY FAITH

We may believe metaphysical theories that are ultimately true. However, we have no way of knowing they are true because we lack the criteria by which to make this discernment. . . . This is not to say that such a realization [of one’s ignorance]  means that metaphysical matters are not important. On the contrary, they can be extremely important. However, the very important distinction here is the conscious recognition and separation between metaphysical matters–-the truth of which we cannot currently determine–-and commonsense (and eventually, scientific) matters, the truth of which we can determine, at least in a tentative, communal, and practical way. . . . The separation of BIG T (metaphysical) Truth from little t (commonsense and scientific) truth.

—- Christopher diCarlo, professor of philosophy

       Skeptical Inquirer, May/June 2009

GNOMONIC

EXPANSION

A gnomon is any figure which, when added to an original figure, leaves the resultant figure similar to the original.

—- Hero of Alexandria

[ gnomon = one who knows ]

Growth by accretion and recapitulation per the Golden Ratio is characteristic of many natural systems, such as the Nautilus shell, and sunflower seeds. Why? God – only knows. Math is Metaphysics.

GOLDEN RATIO  Ф

. . . the Pythagoreans basically believed that the existence of such [irrational] numbers was so horrific that it must represent some sort of cosmic error, one that should be suppressed and kept secret.

—- Mario Livio

       The Golden Ratio

Ф = 1.6180339887 . . . .

This never-repeating number may be the broken symmetry that allowed metaphysical life and mind to emerge in the course of physical evolution.