In a prior article, The Either/Or Logic of Obedient Equations, the Author supported the claim that obedient equations are perfect for describing the behavior of inert Matter. In contrast, disobedient equations are better suited to describe the behavior of animate Life. Obedient equations adhere to either/or logic of traditional set theory. A prime endeavor of traditional set theory is determining permanent essences so that the entity can be put in the proper category box. Once something is in a category box, it can be understood via either/or logic. Obedient equations can then be employed to predict behavior.
This system works really great with inert Matter. I mean, who has ever met an atom that changes? Most of the atoms have been around in their same state, since the Earth’s beginning, some billions of years ago. That is stability. They have interacted in a variety of fascinating ways, combining to create a virtual infinitude of molecules. Yet their absolute essence has remained the same. Each atom contains the same protons and neutrons that they were born with. Talk about a tight family.
While atoms have over a 100 flavors, their constituent parts, the protons and neutrons come in only 1 flavor each. It is the number of protons and neutrons that determine the atom’s flavor, not the type of proton or neutron. This level of subatomic particle has only one type. Every atom, hence every molecule, hence every piece of matter in the entire universe, is composed of the exact same type of protons, and neutrons. At the foundation of our material structure is the perfect either/or situation. It is either a proton or a neutron. There is no other alternative.
The protons and neutrons constitute the nucleus of the atom. The nucleus of each atom is surrounded by energy fields inhabited by electrons. As electrons jump from energy field to energy field, they give off photons. Further, “by exchanging photons, the proton keeps the electron nearby, dancing around it.” (Feynman, QED, p. 100) Photons are also referred to as packets of light energy. Electrons are also referred to as packets of electrical energy.
These elemental forms of energy also possess mass, ala Einstein. Electrons and photons possess energy and mass, but are neither energy nor mass. Further, electrons and photons sometimes behave as waves and sometimes as particles. In other words, electrons and photons behave ambiguously regarding the traditional categories. To differentiate them from the traditional particles and waves, we call them information packets, for reasons that we explore in future articles.
An atom’s protons and neutrons are stable and unchanging. However, their energetic byproduct, the electrons and photons, are constantly changing states, spontaneously transforming from one form to another. However, the electrons and photons come in discrete packets. In other words, there is only one size of electron and photon, just as there is only one type of neutron and proton. The information packets, sometimes behave like a particle and sometimes like a wave, but they are ultimately the same size. This size is determined precisely by Plank’s quantum constant.
What an ideal situation for the either/or logic of set theory that is based in the Container Metaphor. Materially, it is either a proton or a neutron. In terms of information packet, it is either an electron or a photon. Further each of these subatomic entities, whether matter or information, comes in only one size. The unitary nature of these subatomic entities is perfect for an application of the Container Metaphor. The 4 subatomics are either in their box or out of their box and they have unchanging permanent essences. Further the interactions of these 4 entities determine the behavior of all of matter, at least according to the theory. If traditional set logic holds, scientists can confidently employ obedient equations to model material reality.
Employing the obedient equations of either/or set logic on these subatomic entities, Science has had one triumph after another, as they have conquered one material realm after another in seemingly endless succession. When will it ever end? These fabulous successes in transforming our world have certainly validated the notion that obedient equations govern the material universe.
However, when the inert matter of neutrons, protons, electrons, and photons somehow became living matter, something incredibly strange happened. Living matter, in order to fulfill potentials, was required to interact with the environment. This interaction involved an inherent amount of self-reflection. What are my responses to environmental input and how should I respond? The self-reflective nature of this fundamental interaction introduces functions that include themselves in the mix. These are the disobedient equations that are the topic of this volume.
Let’s summarize. The current article breaks the world into two parts. One consists of Matter and Obedient Equations. The other consists of Life and Disobedient Equations. Obedient Equations (well-founded) adhere to either/or logic of traditional set theory. Disobedient Equations (non-well-founded) do not adhere to this logic. This is why we deem them disobedient. Disobedient equations are self-referential (contain themselves); the obedient equations are not.
Matter reacts automatically, hence predictably. Life makes choices in order to actualize potentials. In order to make choices, Life digests environmental input, while Matter has no such need. Life’s digestion process entails self-reference as part of the interaction with the environment. Due to these parallels, we suggest that Obedient Equations best describe the automatic nature of inert Matter, while self-referential Disobedient Equations best describe the self- referential nature of Life.
To illustrate why automatic Matter and Obedient Equations are such a perfect fit, we showed that the entire structure of the material universe is based upon 4 unitary subatomic entities. An implication of this discussion is that the material universe is unitary because it is based upon 4 unitary essences. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Indeed, the material universe is composed of two orthogonal planes, at least. The intersection of these 2 planes determines our material reality. However, these two planes are as different as the interacting planes of Life & Matter. In fact, one of the material planes has many features in common with the living plane.
The two planes, obviously, share many of the same essences. Both material planes behave automatically. Hence, neither entails self-reference. Further both material planes adhere to the mathematical relationships of Newtonian dynamics. Besides these highly significant congruencies, the 2 modes of material reality are like night and day.
One mode of material reality consists of the atom on up to planets and such. This material plane is unitary, at least for the purposes of our discussion. We deem this the atomic world. This is a convenient term, as all matter in our everyday world consists primarily of atoms. The other mode of material reality consists of subatomic entities, electrons, and so forth, on down to muons and such. This material plane is also unitary. We deem this the subatomic world. This is a convenient term, as all atoms consist of the same subatomic particles. Although sharing certain features in common, atoms and the subatomic entities that make them up have entirely different properties. Elucidating these differences is the focus of the next article in the stream – The Disobedient Subatomics.