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

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.

Correct solutions to Zeno's Paradoxes

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.

Moving beyond a 2,450-year-old era

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."

 

Technical details revealing errors in scientific assumptions

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.