This section (Zeno's Paradoxes) includes content that dispels many commonly-accepted beliefs concerning the nature of physical movement.

While the ideas of themselves might not appear important, avoiding or not paying heed to this fundamental error in our world-view will invite increasingly deleterious consequences.

As is explained, we need to embrace a holodynamic systems view of life to better engage Nature, life and possibilities. With an increasing population and greater use of technology, we are nearing a critical point in the evolution of human culture, one that must eventually embrace an expanded, holodynamic understanding if the race is to survive, grow and prosper.

Zeno's Paradoxes: A Thought Experiment

Thu, 23/Jul/2009 - 11:48pm by Stephen Pirie

Overview

It is widely accepted that the solutions to the dilemma of explaining physical movement (commonly known as Zeno's Paradoxes), lies in assuming that all physical movement is comprised of a continuous, and contiguous series of 'infinitesimal' little movements, which together provide "perfectly continuous" and seamless movement.

The mathematics of calculus has been used to show that we can traverse an infinite series of such movements in finite time, thus enabling our everyday experience of physical movement.

This continuity of movement enables and fuels a machine world-view, in that the continuity of movement also implies continuity and predictability of operation and behaviour.

However, this widely-accepted theory relies on an absolute, never-ending continuity, which is at odds with the evidence of quantum theory. A new holodynamic systems model (one that includes a discontinuous-space | continuous meta-space duality) is required to fit the facts.

...(the idea) that space is continuous is, I believe, wrong.

— Professor Richard Feynman
The Messenger Series: Seeking New Laws

Categories: 
Quantum Physics
Zeno's Paradoxes
Theories of Consciousness

3rd Proof of the Impossibility of Physical Movement

Wed, 12/Aug/2009 - 3:39pm by Stephen Pirie

It is commonly argued that objects the size/weight of people would have an imperceptibly small de Broglie wavelength. But when movement of fingers, arms and people involves infinitesimal increments, as required by Assumption no. 1, the wavelength, despite being imperceptibly short, must go infinitely shorter, thus requiring mass and/or momentum to become infinite. In other words, according to standard scientific world-views, movement is theoretically impossible.

This proof (in addition to others1) shows that physical movement is impossible, when it is theoretically based on standard2 scientific assumptions. Since everyday physical movement is not only possible but routinely lived and experienced, we can confidently conclude that modern scientific world-views are "wrong" (in that they do not fully account for, or explain the facts).

The objective of these proofs is to reveal how our modern scientific views are surface-layer perceptions that do not reveal or account for deeper, nonlocal (meta-physical) rhythms and processes.

  • Scientific Assumption #1: The standard, widely-accepted scientific solution for explaining the paradox of physical movement (often referred to as Zeno's Paradoxes) is fully resolved by the mathematics of infinite series. In particular, the assumption of, and reliance on a one-to-one correspondence of mathematical points with physical points is required. It is never assumed or stated that the mathematical points (in whichever equations or formula) are entirely unrelated to physical reality: that would make the mathematical expressions a 'nonsense' exercise. The assumption is that we are able to traverse each point in an infinite sequence of 'infinitesimal' contiguous physical steps in finite time, thus enabling everyday movement of our bodies etc.

Correct solutions to Zeno's Paradoxes

Sat, 17/Jul/2010 - 7:55am by Stephen Pirie

In brief:

According to the root assumptions of science — that for each physical effect there is a physical cause — physical movement is theoretically impossible, yet we routinely move our bodies in everyday life. The root assumptions cannot explain, or be precisely correlated with physical phenomena.

In detail:

Correct solutions to Zeno's Paradoxes require that they be fully congruent with observable reality. That is, they are at least not contrary to experimental or physical evidence.

The article "Congruent Solutions to Zeno's Paradoxes" provides an overview of how the evidence of quantum mechanics can be integrated with everyday life to correctly solve the (supposedly perplexing) issue of the paradox of physical motion.

All other solutions that rely on infinite-series (typical of the vast majority of solutions offered in textbooks, universities and the Internet) require the assumption of 'perfect continuity' of space-time and physical motion, an assumption that is not supported by the evidence of quantum mechanics. in fact, if movement were continuous, our whole universe would disappear in an infinite flash of energy.1 As physicist David Bohm stated: "according to the quantum theory, movement is not fundamentally continuous."2. As renowned physicist Richard Feynman remarked over 40 years ago "...that space is continuous is, I believe, wrong."3,4

"If infinite-series do not predict physical movement in the details, they cannot be used in the details of physical movement."

[Stephen Pirie, July 2011]

In light of the many theoretical advances and experimental results of quantum physics, we can confidently expect that the vast majority of scientific and philosophical opinion on the subject of Zeno's Paradoxes (based on infinite-series solutions which are reliant on the assumption of a continuous space-time) is wrong.

Categories: 
Quantum Physics
Zeno's Paradoxes

Moving beyond a 2,450-year-old era

Sat, 18/Jul/2009 - 2:13pm by Stephen Pirie

The Art and Science of Blinking

Around 2,450 years ago the ancient Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea was perhaps the first to methodically question a simple fact of life - how do we physically move, such as when blinking an eye, running, or simply falling down?

Culturally we are about to fall off a philosophical cliff. Fortunately, a safe landing in a far more compassionate, sane and exciting world awaits those who come to the edge with the understanding of how to fly.

His questions and arguments, which have become widely known as Zeno's Paradoxes, pointed to the seemingly logical impossibility of the everyday experience of physical movement.

His considerations have perplexed and troubled philosophers and scientists even since. Various assumptions that underpin our modern technologies and sciences were taken for granted. We take for granted that there is always a physical cause for every physical effect - as exemplified by scientists researching to find physical cures for disease, cancer and viruses; and to find the physical genes or brain cells responsible for thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and the experience of love, creativity and joy. 

Now, with the advances in the field of quantum physics, we know that a 2,450 year era is nearing its end .. an era in which it has been assumed that our physical brains, bodies and the entire physical universe is continuously existent. An era in which each part (atom, virus, cell, organ, person, planet) was assumed to be continuously existent and functional, with every part contributing to the running of, or dysfunction of, the machinery of life.

We stand at the edge of a grand new understanding of our universe, and ourselves. As Visa International founder Dee Hock foretells, a new era

is struggling to be born -- a shifting of culture, science, society, and institutions enormously greater than the world has ever experienced. Ahead, the possibility of the regeneration of individuality, liberty, community, and ethics such as the world has never known, and a harmony with nature, with one another, and with the divine intelligence such as the world has never dreamed."

 

Categories: 
Creativity & Innovation
Integral Systems Thinking
Leadership
Health and wellbeing
Personal Development
Religion & Spirituality
Biology
Neuroplasticity
Chaos & Complexity
Quantum Physics
Zeno's Paradoxes
Success Factors
Sustainability
Theories of Consciousness

Proof of the impossibility of physical movement

Thu, 23/Jul/2009 - 8:19am by Stephen Pirie

Overview

Standard scientific beliefs are that when we move, say a finger through a small distance, it does so by moving through an infinite number of very small "infinitesimal" steps. This proof asks a very basic question: What is the electrical, chemical activity in the body that can account for, and control that infinite-step process?

"If infinite-series do not track physical movement in the details, they cannot be used in the details of physical movement." [Stephen Pirie, 2011]

Introduction

Proving the impossibility of physical movement,
using the assumptions of modern science

This proof, based on the assumptions of modern science and medicine, reveals how we are unable to move our bodies even for the simplest of tasks, such as blinking an eye, or lifting a finger. In view of our easy ability to blink, or move a finger, we may confidently conclude that standard scientific theories -- reliant on the assumption of 'perfectly contiguous and continuous' movement  -- are inappropriate and incorrect at the micro-scaled dimensions of space-time, but approximately correct in the macro-scaled events of everyday life.

As is more fully explained in this proof, modern deterministic science (including and especially medical and biological science) requires that

for each and every physical effect (ie. for each and every infinitesimal physical step) there MUST BE an identifiable physical (NEUROLOGICAL) cause

This expectation (of perfect biological determinism) is unable to accommodate the quantum facts: the majority of contemporary science is based on incorrect assumptions. A new scientific paradigm is required.

Technical details revealing errors in scientific assumptions

Sat, 28/Nov/2009 - 11:19am by Stephen Pirie

Overview

There is now ample theoretical and experimental evidence that ought to motivate serious thinkers towards adopting a new, expansive world-view -- one that eclipses the standard scientific view that physical things (genes, viruses, physical forces) are the sole cause of physical effects (bodies, behaviours etc.)

The section Zeno's Paradoxes at this site provides a number of useful thought-experiments, and related blog posts that clearly demolish the standard scientific world-view.