• FQXi Essay Contest - Spring, 2017
  • Crisis of Fundamentality → Physics, Forward → Into Metaphysics → The Ontological Basis of Knowledge: Framework, Carcass, Foundation by Vladimir I. Rogozhin

Dear Vladimir,

congratulation for a very nice essay that I enjoyed very much reading.

My essay has very deep connections with yours, putting (methaphysical) postpositivistic methedology at the core of foundamental research in modern science. I hope you will read it and we can maybe discuss similitudes and differences in our thoughts.

Meanwhile I will rate you with a high grade.

Best of luck!

Flavio

    Dear Flavio,

    Thank you very much for your kind words and support. I'm starting to do the translation and read your essay to give a comment.

    Yours faithfully,

    Vladimir

    Dear Dr. Rogozhin,

    You address many topics in your essay, but I noticed in particular your line:

    "The foundation of modern physics is split. Two fundamental theories, the general theory of relativity and quantum field theory are not compatible ideologically, logically and mathematically"

    You might be interested in my essay, "Fundamental Waves and the Reunification of Physics". I propose that a set of slight modifications from classical physics can give rise to a consistent unified realistic physical picture on all scales. There are no point particles or gravitational singularities; abstract spacetime and Hilbert space are mathematical artifacts. Electrons are distributed real wave packets without entanglement. Space and time are distinct, and are defined by frequency and wavelength of these real waves, which can shift in a gravitational potential. This gives rise to the phenomena associated with general relativity and quantum mechanics, without requiring separate mathematical formalisms.

    This is not merely a philosophical argument. There is a newly developing technology, quantum computing, which depends critically on entanglement for its computational power. Without entanglement, quantum computing will not work. There are billions of dollars being invested in this, and I expect an answer within 5 years. But when I have tried to discuss this with active participants in the field, they react as if I am killing the goose that is laying the golden eggs. No one wants to hear such a negative story, including funding agents. My prediction is that the failure of quantum computing will lead to a reassessment of the entire foundations of quantum mechanics.

    Alan Kadin

      Dear Alan,

      Thank you very much for your very important commentary for understanding the whole problem of fundamentality in natural science. "The trouble with physics" (Lee Smolin) push to need radical restructuring of the philosophical foundations of science. I immediately begin translating and reading your essay.

      Yours faithfully,

      Vladimir

      Dear Vladimir;

      I enjoyed reading your essay. You went straight to the point. The root of the crisis is the lack of recognition in the physical sciences of the need to have an ontological foundation for all theories and fundamental concepts and axioms on which those theories are founded. As you said: To overcome the crisis of fundamentality means to achieve "ontological bottom" and build its structure.

      I concur with you when you say "One of the main causes of the modern crisis in Fundamental Science is the domination of epistemic fundamentality and a disparaging attitude toward metaphysics, ontology". This is part of the critique I make in my essay.

      I fully agree with your conclusion

      "... that the basic physical theories do not have ontological fundamentality. They are not built on a strong ontological basis and are phenomenological theories without ontological justification. The foundation on which they are built is not solid, their ontological structure (ontological basis) is not clarified. The ontological basis must be the same for all fundamental theories for all levels of the Universum existence".

      Perhaps without realizing it, physicists are trapped in a neopositivism. And "It is necessary to overcome fenomenologizm in the systemic approach that prevails today in modern science".

      The solution of the problems of modern Fundamental Physics requires the creation of a deeper ontology that encompasses all levels of the Universe as a holistic generating process. This solution is what I try to introduce in my essay. There I start by establishing the general concept of "Fundamental". Then I summarize an epistemological critique of the practice of theoretical science, where it is demonstrated the inadequacy of the ways science constructs the fundamental concepts for studying the fine grain of reality. Afterward I propose an expansion of the scope of physical science to include the aspects of reality that cannot be observed directly or indirectly. Then I discusses the concepts of SPACE, DISTANCE,TIME, INERTIA, MASS AND ELECTRIC CHARGE, and develop new concepts for each of these scientific parameters; redefining them in ways that allows the determination of whether or not they could be categorized as Fundamental

        Dear Vladimir,

        thank you for sharing your ideas, it was a pleasure to read your interesting essay - and to find quotes from such a great author as Florensky. Your brief history of the problem was very well done indeed.

        I was a little confused in the end, when you state:

        > the method of ontological construction of the primordial generating structure of the Universum as holistic process brings to uniform ontological (onto- gnoseo- axiological) basis of knowledge: the ontological framework (the absolute forms of existence of matter), represented in the "logos", general logic and "laws of nature", the ontological carcass (the ontological, absolute system of coordinates of Nature) and the ontological core - foundation of being and knowledge - Ontological (structural, cosmic) memory.

        What's the primordial generating structure that you believe is fundamental?

        Bests and thank you again,

        Francesco

          Dear Diogenes,

          Thank you very much for your deep, discerning commentary and assessment of my ideas on overcoming the crisis of fundamentality in natural scientific knowledge. I'm happy to start reading your essay to make a comment.

          Yours faithfully,

          Vladimir

          Dear Francesco,

          Thank you very much for reading my essay, comment and question.

          Mathematics, Physics, Ontology and Dialectics work together to "grasp" (construct) the most fundamental in nature. We continue to follow the main road: unification geometrization.

          At the first stage of the ontological (dialectical-ontological) construction of the knowledge basis (= primordial generative structure), we carry out a dialectical-ontological unification of matter across all levels of the Universe's existence as a holistic process of generating new structures and meanings.

          Matter is understood in the spirit of Plato: this is what all forms are born of. The main thing here is the idea of generation.

          Three limiting (absolute, unconditional, extreme) forms of existence of matter (absolute states): absolute rest (linear state = Continuum) absolute motion (vortex state = Discreteum) absolute becoming (wave state = DisContinuum). Physics threw out the "absolute rest of matter" from the scientific picture of the world. Now this state must be returned to its place in the dialectical triad of nature.

          Each absolute state of matter has its own ontological path (ontological bivector) and is represented by the "heavenly triangle" (Plato) and its invariants in a single symbol ("symbol of symbols", "idea of ideas").

          The triunity of absolute states of matter determines the ontological framework of knowledge (metalaw = "logos"), which manifests itself in the "laws of nature" and the ontological framework - the absolute coordinate system of the Universum ("cube" "sphere" "cylinder").

          What generates, develops, preserves ("holds") the generating structure of the three absolute states of matter? This "soul of matter" - the ontological (structural, cosmic) memory.

          The triunity of absolute states of matter plus ontological memory is the Primordial (absolute) generating structure - model of the "eternally existing" process of generation.

          It is the development of Bergson's ideas ("Matter and Memory") and Whitehead (metaphysics of the process) and of all dialectical line, beginning from Heraclitus.

          The information revolution pushes "in the back": Physics must introduce the concept of "ontological memory" into the scientific picture of the world as a central concept.

          Yours faithfully,

          Vladimir

          Dear Vladimir,

          thank you for your kind reply.

          You say that "Matter is understood in the spirit of Plato: this is what all forms are born of. The main thing here is the idea of generation."

          But what is matter without form? Every kind of matter, even an "undefined" form of it, can be something just related to something else. If you consider this primordial "matter" as something (as you write) "absolute, unconditional, extreme", it looks like that matter is close to the paradoxical status of "nothing". Without differences, no things nor matter. Without relations, no particularities can be found nor can exists. I'm not sure I understood, is matter for you a sort of nothing? Something close to some of the main interpretation of Taoism or Buddhism? Parmenide's oneness?

          (I ask you these because it's related to my essay).

          Thank you again!

          Francesco

            Dear Francesco,

            I begin to read your essay and then answer more fully so that I can compare "nothing" in my ontology of the Universum with your understanding of "nothing" and model.

            Yours faithfully,

            Vladimir

            Zdrastavite Vladimir I. Rogozhin

            Very nicely said.... "What is the most fundamental in the Universum?.. Physics, do not be afraid of Metaphysics! Levels of fundamentality. The problem 邃-1 of Fundamental Science is the ontological justification (basification) of mathematics (knowledge)," dear Vladimir I. Rogozhin Cpasibo esyo ras dlya xoroshaya essay..... I request you to have a look at my essay also....

            Dynamic Universe Model says that the energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation passing grazingly near any gravitating mass changes its in frequency and finally will convert into neutrinos (mass). We all know that there is no experiment or quest in this direction. Energy conversion happens from mass to energy with the famous E=mC2, the other side of this conversion was not thought off. This is a new fundamental prediction by Dynamic Universe Model, a foundational quest in the area of Astrophysics and Cosmology.

            In accordance with Dynamic Universe Model frequency shift happens on both the sides of spectrum when any electromagnetic radiation passes grazingly near gravitating mass. With this new verification, we will open a new frontier that will unlock a way for formation of the basis for continual Nucleosynthesis (continuous formation of elements) in our Universe. Amount of frequency shift will depend on relative velocity difference. All the papers of author can be downloaded from "http://vaksdynamicuniversemodel.blogspot.in/ "

            By the way.....................

            Main foundational points of Dynamic Universe Model :

            -No Isotropy

            -No Homogeneity

            -No Space-time continuum

            -Non-uniform density of matter, universe is lumpy

            -No singularities

            -No collisions between bodies

            -No blackholes

            -No warm holes

            -No Bigbang

            -No repulsion between distant Galaxies

            -Non-empty Universe

            -No imaginary or negative time axis

            -No imaginary X, Y, Z axes

            -No differential and Integral Equations mathematically

            -No General Relativity and Model does not reduce to GR on any condition

            -No Creation of matter like Bigbang or steady-state models

            -No many mini Bigbangs

            -No Missing Mass / Dark matter

            -No Dark energy

            -No Bigbang generated CMB detected

            -No Multi-verses

            Here:

            -Accelerating Expanding universe with 33% Blue shifted Galaxies

            -Newton's Gravitation law works everywhere in the same way

            -All bodies dynamically moving

            -All bodies move in dynamic Equilibrium

            -Closed universe model no light or bodies will go away from universe

            -Single Universe no baby universes

            -Time is linear as observed on earth, moving forward only

            -Independent x,y,z coordinate axes and Time axis no interdependencies between axes..

            -UGF (Universal Gravitational Force) calculated on every point-mass

            -Tensors (Linear) used for giving UNIQUE solutions for each time step

            -Uses everyday physics as achievable by engineering

            -21000 linear equations are used in an Excel sheet

            -Computerized calculations uses 16 decimal digit accuracy

            -Data mining and data warehousing techniques are used for data extraction from large amounts of data.

            Have a look at

            http://vaksdynamicuniversemodel.blogspot.in/p/blog-page_15.h

            tml

            Best Regards

            =snp

              Vladimir,

              I think the primal factor you miss is temperature and thermodynamics, as being more important than time.

              Consider that galaxies are the primal feature of the universe and they consist of energy radiating out, as mass coalesces inward. I think we will eventually come to realize it is a cosmic convection cycle. That mass is constantly breaking down and shedding energy, as energy is constantly radiated out to the degree it starts to coalesce back as form/information/matter and fall back in. Black holes are really the eye of the storm and it is the falling in/radiating out that is what is really happening. Redshift is not due to the source moving away, but radiation both expanding out to fill space, then coalescing into quanta of light by absorption.

              Think of the rubber sheet analogy of gravity. Space can't be flat where there is no mass, or that would assume the very absoluteness of space which relativity dismisses. Think of the rubber sheet as being on water, so that when it is pushed down by the bowling ball, it is pushed back up everywhere else. That is the outward curvature of redshift. Basically Einstein's original Cosmological Constant. A balance to gravity, leaving space overall flat, with the inward and outward curvatures balancing. Energy radiating out/mass falling in. Dark matter is this collapse starts with the very quantization of light and mass is just the more solid state of it. So that mass is an effect of gravity, rather than gravity a property of mass.

              Consider as well the most elemental state of a fluctuating vacuum doesn't have any way to measure the change of time, but it does have a level of energy, that would be temperature.

              Consider as well that we evolved in a thermodynamic environment and it permeates every aspect of our being. Rational thought might be temporal, as it is sequence, but emotion, the rising and falling impulses, heat, cold, etc, is thermal. Even the process of thought is an expansion of information/energy, following by a consolidation, then leading tot he next cycle/thought.

              Which goes to our mental tendency to look for that bottom line solution/answer/final theory/etc, yet always, always find it circling and cycling back around. That is why the answer always seems right there, but always just out of reach.

                Dear Satyavarapu Naga Parameswara Gupta,

                Thank you very much for your comment. You offer very deep, radical ideas for changing the entire conceptual basis of fundamental science. I start translating and reading your essay and your links.

                Yours faithfully,

                Vladimir

                Dear John,

                Many thanks for your profound commentary and additional explanation of your conceptual ideas in the basis of fundamental science. I believe that overcoming the crisis of understanding in fundamental science is possible only on the basis of a broad competition of ideas and their discussion in the world scientific community. I believe that there should be a World Bank of fundamental ideas in all UN languages, with their constant discussion by all members of the world scientific community.

                Success in the Contest and promotion of ideas!

                All the best,

                Vladimir

                Vladimir,

                There is a social and political aspect of this as well. People, especially westerners, are very goal and bottom line oriented. If society came to realize thermodynamics are more elemental than the linear effect of time, they better realize why every action comes with a whole host of reactions and why simply going faster and more of the same will not get us to Nirvana that much quicker.

                John

                John,

                I agree with you. But I believe that in order to overcome the total crisis of understanding in fundamental science and society, Big Synthesis is needed, new "crazy ideas" are needed in philosophical ontology. Albert Eisstein and John Wheeler left good philosophical covenants for physicists: "At present, the physicist has to deal with philosophical problems to a much greater extent than physicists of previous generations had to do. To this physicists are forced by the difficulties of their own science."... "Philosophy is too important to be left to the philosophers."

                Philosophy should be introduced into the educational process from the first grade of the school ("Philosophy for Children"), so that physicists and poets have a single picture of the "LifeWorld" (E. Husserl)

                Dear Vladimir Rogozhin

                Thank you for your reading my essay with great interest, thank you for all appreciating words...

                I also feel that World Bank of Fundamental Ideas in all UN languages, with their constant discussion by all members of the world scientific community. The global scientific community must support the competition of ideas, primarily in cosmology .

                You stated it wonderfully,

                Best wishes...

                =snp

                Dear Satyavarapu Naga Parameswara Gupta,

                I also wish you success in promoting ideas in order to overcome the crisis of understanding in fundamental science.

                All the best!

                Yours faithfully,

                Vladimir

                Dear Fellow Essayists

                This will be my final plea for fair treatment.,

                FQXI is clearly seeking to find out if there is a fundamental REALITY.

                Reliable evidence exists that proves that the surface of the earth was formed millions of years before man and his utterly complex finite informational systems ever appeared on that surface. It logically follows that Nature must have permanently devised the only single physical construct of earth allowable.

                All objects, be they solid, liquid, or vaporous have always had a visible surface. This is because the real Universe must consist only of one single unified VISIBLE infinite surface occurring eternally in one single infinite dimension that am always illuminated mostly by finite non-surface light.

                Only the truth can set you free.

                Joe Fisher, Realist