KARL
JASPERS
FORUM
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".
-------------------------------------------------
Target Article
61
http://www.kjf.ca/61-TAAND.htm
http://www.KJF.ca
-------------------------------------------------
Adhanom Andemicael
e-mail
<Andemicael@worldnet.att.net>