Introduction: A Visionary Mathematician and His Enigmatic Quest
In my previous post, "Fine Structure Constant and Sir Michael Francis Atiyah," we explored the contributions of the great mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah and his intriguing approach to the fine structure constant, a mystery that has puzzled physicists for over a century.
In [1] Atiyah wrote
“There are now various ways of arriving at Eddington’s number, all by pure algebra, which appear in several different papers [5] and [9]. The simplest is
(7.2) 137 = 1 + 8 + 128 = 20 + 23 + 27.
Eddington first proposed 136 = 8 + 128, based correctly on Clifford algebras as in [4], but he had difficulty justifying the additional 1 to get 137.
...
Ironically, Eddington was later laughed out of court, when 137 was found to need a long string of corrections. In fact these corrections just arise from the iterative process that defines Ж , so Eddington’s two mistakes cancel each other out. Stability helps the tricky initial stage. A wobbly start acquires stability from subsequent motion in a very precise sense as on a bicycle.”
Atiyah's work, particularly in "The Fine Structure Constant" [1], highlights the legacy of Sir Arthur Eddington, a profound figure in the realms of astronomy, physics, and mathematics. Eddington’s work delves into the mystical and mathematical fabric of the universe, revealing dimensions of thought that continue to inspire and challenge modern science.
Eddington’s Algebraic Mysticism: Unveiling the E-numbers
Sir Arthur Eddington (1882–1944), an English astronomer and physicist, was not merely a scientist; he was a visionary who sought to uncover the sacred algebraic structures governing the universe. In "The Fine Structure Constant," Atiyah praises Eddington for his exploration of these structures, notably his "E-numbers," which Eddington believed were not just mathematical curiosities but divine symbols of a higher-dimensional reality intertwined with spacetime.
(Photo: Royal Astronomical Society)
Eddington’s fascination with the number 137, the fine structure constant, is particularly noteworthy. He proposed that 137 could be derived algebraically, and while his methods were initially met with skepticism, modern physics acknowledges the importance of such dimensionless numbers in understanding the universe's fundamental laws. Eddington’s work, though often overlooked, laid the groundwork for future explorations into grand unified theories, where the echoes of his mystical insights can still be heard.
Mind-Stuff: The Foundation of Reality
Eddington's philosophical inquiries extended beyond the physical constants to the very nature of reality itself. In "The Nature of the Physical World" [2], he introduces the concept of "mind-stuff," a fundamental substance that he posits as the true basis of existence. According to Eddington, what we perceive as the physical world is a construct derived from this more basic form of reality.
This "mind-stuff" is not to be confused with our conscious minds; instead, it is a generalized substrate that underlies all reality. Eddington argues that our material world is shaped by this mental substance, much like how a college's activities are represented in bursar accounts. Consciousness, in his view, arises from this mind-stuff, challenging the traditional physicalist perspective that considers space and time as fundamental entities. Instead, Eddington suggests that they too are products of this deeper mental reality.
Science and the Unseen World: A Cosmic Perspective
In his 1929 Swarthmore lecture, "Science and the Unseen World" [3], Eddington challenges conventional notions of existence and reality. He argues that the obsession with proving the existence of entities—whether they be gods, deities, or even friends—is an intellectual trap that distracts from a more profound understanding of our relationships and the universe.
Eddington proposes that our connection with the divine, or any higher entity, transcends logical validation. He likens it to our friendships, where the need for proof is absurd. Eddington proposes that, in the highest form of spiritual experience, the soul and God share a cosmic joke, laughing together at the absurdity of trying to "prove" something so inherently beyond proof.
This perspective invites us to move beyond sterile metaphysical arguments and embrace the realization that some aspects of reality are beyond the dichotomy of existence and non-existence—they simply are. Eddington’s insights offer a potential reconciliation between science and spirituality, suggesting that both domains might find common ground in the shared joy of a deeper understanding of the cosmos.
Egregors and Mind-Stuff: Beyond the Reach of Science
In [3] Eddington addresses the “unseen world” hiding behind the symbols of science as follows:
“Natural law is not applicable to the unseen world behind the symbols, because it is unadapted to anything except symbols, and its perfection is a perfection of symbolic linkage. You cannot apply such a scheme to the parts of our personality which are not measurable by symbols any more than you can extract the square root of a sonnet."
Here I do not fully agree with Eddington. While it is true that attempting to take square root of a sonnet is not very productive, it is also not productive to take a square root of of the equality sign “=”. But sonnets can be analyzed in other, more productive and scientific ways. We can analyze the information contained in a sonnet, its complexity, its impact on the consciousness level. We can analyze its “egregor” character, even if egregors are still beyond the reach of science.
While Eddington’s notion of the "unseen world" behind the symbols of science might seem esoteric, it opens the door to exploring concepts that are currently beyond the reach of modern science. One such concept is the "egregor," a collective consciousness or psychic entity that emerges from the shared beliefs and intentions of a group.
An egregor is more than just the sum of individual thoughts; it is a dynamic, influential presence shaped by collective human activity. This idea brings us back to Eddington’s mind-stuff—an enigmatic substance that, while not fully understood, might one day be accessible through new scientific methodologies. Just as quantum theory is used in daily life without being fully comprehended, the mind-stuff could become a tool for future scientific exploration and control.
Conclusion: Eddington’s Legacy and the Future of Science
Sir Arthur Eddington’s work, spanning the mystical and mathematical realms, continues to challenge and inspire. His exploration of the fine structure constant, mind-stuff, and the unseen world invites us to reconsider the foundations of reality and the limits of scientific inquiry. Eddington’s insights suggest that the universe is not merely a physical construct but a profound interplay of mind and matter, hinting at dimensions of existence that remain largely unexplored.
As we advance in our scientific endeavors, it is crucial to remember Eddington’s legacy. His work reminds us that the pursuit of knowledge is not just about understanding the material world but also about embracing the mysteries that lie beyond. In doing so, we might one day bridge the gap between science and spirituality, uncovering deeper truths about the nature of reality and our place within it.
References
- M. Atiyah, “The Fine Structure Constant” (2018).
- A.S. Eddington, “The Nature Of The Physical World”, Cambridge University Press 1929. Link.
- A.S. Eddington, Swarthmore lecture, “Science and the Unseen World”, George Allen & Unwin Ltd 1929. Link.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment..