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TA84 (Conn Henry)

 

 

Commentary 32

 

 

"THE NATURE OF REALITY"

by  Adhanom Andemicael

19 April 2007, posted 21 April 2007

 

 

<1>

I make use of computer science concepts in this commentary.

 

<2>

These concepts may help us understand the nature of mind, matter, space and time. (Please note that "class" and "instance" are terms used in the C++ programming language.)

 

<3>

Below, I present a rough "outline" of ideas:

 

***

 

 

CLASSES, INSTANCES AND THE NATURE OF REALITY

 

<4>

-- A "class" C  is a "specification" or "description" of a physical object O_1.

 

<5>

O_1 is an instance of the class C. Note: C can have several instances: O_1, O_2, O_3, etc., O_n.

 

<6>

C is not a physical object. However, the instances O_1, O_2, O_3, etc. are physical objects.

 

<7>

(Note: In the C++ programming language, a class is regarded as an "abstract entity." This entity describes a set of concrete instances.)

 

<8>

-- We can distinguish between the objective world (i.e., spacetime) and the subjective world (i.e., 3D, phenomenal space.) (See John Smythies' article "Space, Time and Consciousness": <http://www.imprint.co.uk/pdf/smythies.pdf>

 

<9>

-- The objective world is made up of abstract classes. The subjective world is made up of concrete instances of these classes.

 

<10>

-- As we know, the objective world consists of entities such as chairs, tables, etc.

 

<11>

Let us consider a particular chair that exists in spacetime: "Chair_A." We can define "Chair_A_1" and "Chair_A_2" as two instances of the class Chair_A.

 

<12>

Suppose a person, Ann, wishes to observe Chair_A. She cannot observe this entity because it is a class. (As I've already indicated, a class is not a physical object). However, Ann can create an instance of Chair_A and then observe this instance.

 

<13>

Let us suppose that Ann creates the instance Chair_A_1. Chair_A_1 comes into existence inside Ann's subjective world as a 3D, phenomenal object.

 

<14>

Another observer, Betty, can create a different instance of the same Chair_A.  She can create Chair_A_2.  This instance is a 3D, phenomenal object that comes into existence inside Betty's subjective world.

 

<15>

-- Claim 1 (classical physics): The objective world is made up of concrete instances of physical objects.

 

<16>

Claim 2 (quantum physics): The objective world is made up of "possibilities" rather than "concrete instances of objects."

 

<17>

-- The object-oriented model (OOM) described above seems to be in accord with Claim 2 (i.e., the quantum description of reality). (In classical reality the objective world consists of concrete entities.  However, in both quantum theory and OOM, the objective world consists of abstract entities.)

 

<18>

-- The object-oriented model seems to explain why the noumenal world cannot be directly observed by a mind. According to OOM, the noumenal world consists of abstract classes (i.e., "AC's") rather than concrete instances (i.e., "CI's"). As we know, AC's cannot be "observed" by a mind.  (AC's are not physical entities; they are abstract *specifications* of physical entities.)

 

<19>

-- The process of observation can be understood as a process of instantiation. When one "observes" a physical entity, one creates a concrete instance of the entity.

 

<20>

-- The "present" is a subjective phenomenon associated with consciousness.  When Ann creates the instance Chair_A_1, this instance acquires the property of being "present." (Chair_A_1 acquires "presentness" because Ann perceives this chair at her subjective "present.")

 

<21>

-- The class Chair_A does not exist inside any mind. This class therefore never acquires the property of being "present."

 

<22>

In order for an entity to be concretely real, the entity must have the property of being "present." Chair_A never has this property. Therefore, this class is never concretely real.

 

 

-- Generalization:

 

<23>

Classes in spacetime are not concretely real. (They lack the property of being "present.") However, instances of spacetime classes are concretely real. (They possess the property of being "present.")

 

<24>

-- "Chair_A" is a particular chair that exists in spacetime. "Chair_B" is another (particular) chair that exists in spacetime.

 

<25>

Chair_B_1, Chair_B_2, etc. are instances of the class Chair_B.

 

<26>

-- Spacetime is a four-dimensional entity. The class "Slice_A" is a particular 3D slice of spacetime. Slice_A_1, Slice_A_2, etc. are instances of the class Slice_A. (Note: The class "ST" can represent the 4D spacetime background.)

 

<27>

-- We can replace "spacetime" with the concept of "superspace." See Paul Davies' book *Other Worlds*: <http://deoxy.org/superspace.htm>

 

<28>

Reality can then be defined as having the following two components: 1) The objective world (i.e., superspace); and 2) The subjective world (i.e., 3D, phenomenal space).

 

<29>

-- "Slice(S)_A" is a particular 3D slice of superspace. "Slice(S)_A_1", "Slice(S)_A_2", etc. are instances of the class "Slice(S)_A".

 

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Target Article 61

http://www.kjf.ca/61-TAAND.htm

http://www.KJF.ca

 

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Adhanom Andemicael

     e-mail <Andemicael@worldnet.att.net>