NEXT

BACK

NEXT

BACK

Site Search

ENERGY IS EN-FORM-ACTION

     Thanks to Einstein, we now know that matter is a stable form of energy. But what then is energy made of? Energy is never observed as a physical thing unto itself, apart from matter–-just like Information. Hmmmm.

     Early physicists argued whether energy was a material substance (ie- the Caloric, Phlogiston) or merely a physical quantity (a unit of measure).  Obviously, a quantity measure, say a “liter”, is not matter, but an imaginary container of something. In the case of energy, it’s still not clear what that “something” actually is.

     The current view is that energy is not composed of material atoms, but possibly “strings” of vibrating space-time. In calculations it is defined as a “scalar physical quantity”.  A scalar quantity is basically a measure-ment of something. Yet for energy, the thing measured is not length, width, height, or even duration, but intensity or density, which is directly proportional to wavelength. The frequency of an energy wave is more like a quantum of time, than an extension in space.   

     Scientists have noted that Time and Energy are directly proportional to each other. Matter cannot exist apart from Space, and Energy cannot exist apart from Time, because it is essentially a measure of change-over-time (evolution). Change is not a physical object, but a relationship between objects at different points in time. Energy is measured not in discrete amounts, but as a ratio in degrees of a whole.

     So in the final analysis, Energy is not really a physical substance, although physicists vainly continue to look for discrete “particles” of energy and force. It is instead a temporal relationship, not between physical objects, but between points in space-time. At one point in time the “object” is here; at another point it is there; hence we say that an immaterial quantity of energy was imparted to the object in order to cause the change. We never actually see the energy, we only notice the change of form or location. Therefore, like Time, Energy seems to be Real only in a mental sense as a concept.

     Physicists refer to kinetic energy as the Cause of Change,and to potential energy as the Power to cause Change. In this thesis, I refer to Energy as En-Form-Action : the power to cause a change of form.

Reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_energy

Alfred E. Newman

Articles and Essays on Related Topics

[Click on the GO buttons below to view the referenced essay]

• Intelligent Evolution :  A 21st Century Creation Myth.
  This essay attempts to reconcile 20th century Science with the emerging evidence that Information and Consciousness are fundamental elements of reality. That being the case, the ubiquitous ancient myths of world creation by some form of eternal consciousness may deserve reinterpretation in the light of new evidence. However, Christian and Muslim Intelligent Design theories have been attempts to force the new wine, of modern scientific concepts, into the old wineskins of outdated worldviews as recorded in ancient scriptures. That approach does not do justice to either the ancient or modern wisdom traditions. This essay accepts the findings of science, and especially the Theory of Evolution, as the most current and accurate portrayal of  the physical universe. In addition to the physical evidence though, this essay considers recent metaphysical evidence of Information Theory, Systems Theory, and other cutting-edge products of the scientific method. At the same time, it also tries to avoid falling into the magical, mystical presumptions of New Age interpretations of old Eastern myths in terms of modern science. Ancient metaphors may demonstrate philosophical insights, but they typically lack the pragmatic scientific discipline.
  
  

Intelligent Evolution essay in PDF format .

• Intelligent Evolution :  Glossary of Technical Terminology.
  This is a list of definitions and mini-essays to supplement the IE essay. Some terms used in the essay may be unfamiliar to those without a background in philosophy and science. Other words are used in un-conventional and metaphorical senses as a means to look at the topics from a different perspective. Many of the words and concepts in the glossary will also apply to the Enformationism worldview.
  
  

 I.E. Glossary in PDF format .

• The God Hypothesis : Rational Reasons for G*d.
  This is an extract from a Freethought Forum discussion asking for evidence to support belief in a generic Deist god-concept.  Many of the arguments presented are based on an early conception of the Enformationism hypothesis. If metaphysical information is the primary substance of the universe, and if information originates in a mind, then there may be a Primal Mind which creates what we perceive to be the physical universe as a concept in the mind of G*D.
  
  

   The God Hypothesis essay in PDF format .

• The Science of Metaphysics : The Other Side of Reality.
  This is an essay discussing the concept of Metaphysics as it relates to the Enformationism thesis and the Intelligent Evolution theory.
  
  
• FUTURE       The Science of Metaphysics essay in PDF format .

LAWS OF INFORMATION

Some of the most fundamental rules of physics–-the laws of thermodynamics, for example, and the laws that tell how collections of atoms move in a chunk of matter–-are, deep down, actually laws about information.

—- Charles Seife

         Decoding The Universe

SOMETHINGNESS

Information is the foundational  element of the real world. It is that which gives form to matter and puts the “en” in energy. Without information, nothing would exist.