Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: betty boop
Thank you oh so very much for your excellent essay!

Koppen appears to argue that if there is a fifth dimension accessible to the mind, it is likely to be spatial, not temporal:

“…considering time as a fourth dimension is not the same as considering a fourth spatial dimension. While it is a good trick for describing relativity, it is [just not] more: We cannot move [back and forth] in time….”

Indeed, that is the cause/effect argument. In making that argument he is saying that time cannot be a plane because it is too upsetting, or alternatively, he cannot comprehend it.

Over the years, more than one scientific theory had to hurdle that particular objection. Galileo comes to mind...

Personally, I think the question of dimensionality sets up the next frontier for the human mind.

I agree! Dimensionality has the potential of explaining a host of nagging enigmas in physics - dark energy, superposition, non-locality to name a few. And for the study of consciousness it wrestles free will back from the strong determinists.

It also could host explanation for myriad paranormal phenomenon - from precognition to near death experience. And to top it all off, it is compatible with Scripture.

450 posted on 10/09/2003 9:37:39 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 448 | View Replies ]


To: Alamo-Girl; Ogmios; Phaedrus; Hank Kerchief; PatrickHenry; Doctor Stochastic; Pietro
Indeed, that is the cause/effect argument. In making that argument he is saying that time cannot be a plane because it is too upsetting, or alternatively, he cannot comprehend it.

Yep, 'way too upsetting, A-G!

Yet perhaps the 4D block -- 3S + 1T -- can only be viewed as a plane from the fifth dimension (T the second). That way, since we "live" and "perceive" in 4D, we don't "notice" the brane-like quality of 4D. And since we don't "notice it," it is not "real" for us; that is, from our "perspective." Meaning Time is still perceived as linear and unidirectional for us. So we continue to experience time as a movement from past to present to future. And causation appears to be unaffected and unaffectable.

Just a wild speculation.... I'm reminded of Heraclitus' observation: "Nature loves to hide."

451 posted on 10/09/2003 11:05:59 AM PDT by betty boop (God used beautiful mathematics in creating the world. -- Paul Dirac)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 450 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson