A Quantum Universe- a slightly different perspective on reality

[Maricel Evasco]

Physics : A Quantum universe?
We look at the objects and materials of the world as bounded and solid. The calls for change in the area of physics are  perhaps the most radical of all the movements in the scientific disciplines, questioning the nature of scientific enquiry and indicating that it is time to ‘re-seed’ our concepts of self and others, and incorporate the implications of quantum physics into our notions of the physical world. Modern developments in Physics are questioning our present ways of interpreting the world, and the things around us, suggesting that they are incorrect.

Albert Einstein observed :
A human being is part of the whole, called by us, universe ... We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. The true value of a human being is determined by the measure and the sense in which they have obtained liberation from the self. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive.

Developments in physics suggest that our delusions and fantasies are not restricted to values. Our perceptions of the external world are distorted. Whilst recognizing the dramatic achievements of science, particularly the remarkable levels of accuracy of physical theories, Penrose (1989) has raised questions about the basic assumptions underlying the Classical approaches to Science. He argues that just as many aspects of our physical reality require the theories of quantum physics to explain them, this may apply also to our understanding of the social world. "Perhaps our minds are qualities rooted in some strange and wonderful feature of those physical laws which actually govern the world we inhabit…We must indeed come to terms with Quantum theory — that most exact and mysterious of physical theories — if we are to delve deeply into some major questions of philosophy…how does our world behave, and what constitutes the ‘minds’ that are indeed ‘us'? Yet some day science may give us a more profound understanding of Nature than quantum theory can provide. It is my personal view that even quantum theory is a stop- gap, inadequate in certain essentials for providing a complete picture of the world in which we actually live." (Penrose,
R.(1989)p.291)

The work of Richard Feynmann (1985) winner of the Nobel Prize and a central figure in the changes within Physics, links Physics with Psychology and Philosophy, denying the existence of a reality ‘out there’ or indeed a static/measurable universe anywhere and considers what Physics and Mathematics can tell us about the nature of the mind and consciousness.  He explains that the essence of Quantum Mechanics involves going against our common sense.  The questions raised by quantum physics touch on the very deepest issues of philosophy. The phenomenon of consciousness needs alternatives to classical approaches. It seems that the things that we see and feel and manipulate as solid objects may be particles and/or waves, and can only be explained, measured, and predicted in terms of particles of energy, atoms. The notions of a solid, static world, out there, is an illusion: an illusion that is upheld by our perceptions of
solidity.

The inheritors of the quest for understanding  the nature of the Universe have to come to terms with the limitations of order and predictability at the heart of quantum physics which leads to questioning all notions of solid reality, since atoms can appear as particles or waves simultaneously; as particles of energy.  At one point atoms were thought to be indivisible. But research over the last 30 years has shown that atoms comprise protons,neutrons, electrons; which in turn are made up of quarks. The very latest research is indicating that quarks are divisible! Hadrons. These particles come together to create matter and anti-matter, positive/negative. If matter collides with antimatter there is a big bang. It is argued that our universe came into being following a 'Big Bang', 15 billion years ago. After which the universe, space,and time began; matter super heated,expanded, and then cooled to form galaxies, stars, earth, life-forms. It is thought that there has not been another 'big-bang', because there is an excess of matter in the universe. Therefore, this universe is assymetrical, lopsided; with more matter than antimatter. Of course, we could ask where is the antimatter ?

 

Galaxies,stars,planets,organisms are made from matter, particles. Human organisms are collections of particles of energy derivedfrom a universe of particles generated by a collision of matter and anti-matter.[Wikipedia. org.} These theories are making it possible to think that the separation into  ‘me and we’,  ‘thou/I’;  ‘self and others’  is mistaken.  Individual humans should be viewed as particles and waves, as part of a  continuum in which ‘the one’ is an aspect of ‘the many’. What we see as objects and organisms are specific concentrations of particles and waves amidst a universe of particles and waves. The ‘Quantum message’ is that there is no ‘out there’ and ‘in here’, only states of particles and waves. This message indicates that any notion of the independent self, and the solid, independent object of our experiences, is an illusion. We are temporary concentrations of particles.

 

http://www.kelvynrichards.com/

[Snagg]

Everything is One Big TV Broadcast. Fine by me.

[LoveLife&Laughter]

The reality is that "Quantum Theory" is the final song from Jarvis (album), by Jarvis Cocker.

Other than that it's philosophy, not science.  Quantum Mechanics is science, but Einstein developed his theories of Relativity because Quantum Mechanics can not explain "Gravity", and CERN has already discovered particles not predictable by Quantum Mechanics, and  we are looking at String Theory, Dark Matter, and Dark Energy that need a new science and mathematics.  The Standard Model Etc. are not irrelevant or wrong, they just not all there is.