TanAardwolf
A very strong critical essay and ideas for discussion and brainstorming. But I would say - philosophically not critical enough, with regard to the problem of the ontological foundations of fundamental science (mathematics, physics, cosmology)
You speak:
<<standard physics>>...
Can physics or physical theories be "standard"?
C. Rovelli in the article "Physics Needs Philosophy / Philosophy Needs Physics" notes:
"Here is a list of topics currently discussed in theoretical physics: What is space? What is time? What is the “present”? Is the world deterministic? Do we need to take the observer into account to describe nature? Is physics better developed in terms of a "reality" or in terms of "what we observe," or is there a third option? What is the quantum wave function? What exactly does "emergence" mean? Does a theory of the totality of the universe make sense "Does it make sense to think that the physical laws themselves might evolve? It is clear to me that input from past and current philosophical thinking cannot be disregarded in addressing these topics."
The first two key questions are purely ontological/metaphysical questions. Therefore, in search of ways out of the modern conceptual - paradigmatic crisis of fundamental science, which manifests itself as a "crisis of understanding" ((J. Horgan "The End of Science", Kopeikin K.V. "Souls" of atoms and "atoms" of the soul: Wolfgang Ernst Pauli , Carl Gustav Jung and "three great problems of physics"), it is important to recall the philosophical testament of Pavel Florensky:
“The problem of space lies at the center of world understanding in all emerging systems of thought and predetermines the composition of the entire system. With certain limitations and clarifications, one could even recognize space as a proper and primary subject of philosophy, in relation to which all other philosophical topics have to be evaluated as derivatives. And, the more closely this or that system of thought is worked out, the more definite the peculiar interpretation of space becomes as its core. We repeat: worldunderstanding is spaceunderstanding.
and philosophical testaments to theoretical physicists by John A. Wheeler, "unsung paragon of science":
"We are no longer satisfied with insights only into particles, fields of force, into geometry, or even into time and space. Today we demand of physics some understanding of existence itself."
"To my mind there must be, at the bottom of it all, not an equation, but an utterly simple idea. And to me that idea, when we discover it, will be so compelling, so inevitable, that we will say to one another, 'Oh, how beautiful. How could it have been otherwise?'"
To understand the "EXISTENCE itself" means to "grasp" (understand) the nature of the primordial TENSION of the Cosmos. And for this it is necessary to "grasp" the primordial ontological structure of matter. That is, to build a ontological model "being-nothing/otherbeing-becoming" and introduce a new concept, the semantic core of the model - ontological (structural, cosmic) memory, "soul of matter", its measure.
A. Einstein “I like to experience the universe as one harmonious whole. Every cell has life. Matter, too, has life; it is energy solidified."
<<In fact, the two main pillars of modern physics are Einstein’s general relativity (GR) and quantum theory.>>
Any theory that claims to be called "fundamental" or "standard" must be an ontologically grounded theory (methodology "ontological basification").
Quantum theory and General relativity are phenomenological (parametric, operationalist. "effective") theories without ontological justification (ontological basification).
To overcome the crisis, the Big Synthesis is needed, a critical look at the entire path of philosophy and science, new ontological and dialectical ideas.
Today, problem no. 1 ("the problem of the millennium") is the ontological justification / substantiation of mathematics (ontological basification), and therefore knowledge in general, the construction of the New Extended Ideality - the ontological basis of knowledge and cognition for the new information age: ontological framework, carcass, foundation. That is, the Big Ontological revolution is needed in the foundations of knowledge. Physics must move from the stage "Phenomenological physics" to the stage "Ontological physics".