Essay Abstract

The limit of physics is not the same as the physics of limit. Limitology is partially physical in nature but is not reduced to physical materialism. The most important source of the limit of physics is the neglect of the supernatural. The question of the limit of physics cannot be answered a priori. The integration of science and theology is mutually beneficial and will push back the limit of physics to some extent.

Author Bio

I am a nuclear and particle physicist. I received my Ph. D. in theoretical physics and two master degrees in theology. I am currently visiting the Chinese University of Hong Kong. My currently research focuses on supercomputing and neutrino physics.

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This is by far the most cogent essay submitted in the competition. The only quibble I have with it is the assertion that mathematics is a precise measuring tool. Theoretically true. Pragmatically not so. Mathematics is merely the most extensive postulated fixation men are capable of indulging in.

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Dear Alfred Tang,

Very good compilated essay!

Your statement, that the limit of physics isn't the same that the physics of limits is well done.

Defining the limits of physics from outside the physical universe with the help of the inside-physics cannot work due to Gödel's findings.

But, defining the physics of limits can be done with the inside-information via Gödel by contemplating that one needs additional assumptions to decide the "limits of physics".

One possible additional assumption is indeed that there could be a supernatural realm, maybe linked with consciousness, logics and the principle of di-unity (as i tried to expose in my own essay here on fqxi.org).

Tri-unity is also very interesting, because it follows directly out of di-unity via extension, self-mapping and consistency.

It is no accident that the christian trinity of Father, son and holy ghost has its analogon in the di-unity of physical light and the corresponding "wave-function" ("complementarity").

There are several other tri-unities in nature as well. For example the diationic system in music is based on the three primes 2,3 and 5 (which are also the aspect ratios of the pythagorean triangle).

Also we have the three prime colours realized in the three cones of our eyes which can be adressed with only two overlapping monochromatic pictures to built the full "three-coloured" picture again in the apparatus of the eyes (Edwin Land).

In biology we have the bacteria and archeons that led to eucaryonts. We have selection, mutation and reproduction in evolutionary biology.

Last but not least we have the three spatial dimensions and also the three "time-dimensions" of past, present and future. The three spatial dimensions maybe could be better understood if we follow the "holographic principle" which states that an equivalent description of reality can be achieved via a less-dimensional structure.

The three states of aggregation, fluid, gaseous and solid can be extended via the bose-einstein-condensate. It is not unthinkable that other tri-unities also can be extended in this way. For example the three-chromatic eye has an additional "complementary" cone which is sensible for the colour yellow to achieve the "Edwin Land" effect.

Feel free to check out my own essay in the current essay contest ("To be or not to be strictly deterministic?").

Best

Stefan Weckbach

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Hi Alfred,

I enjoyed your essay and agree about the narrow realm that modern physics has focused on. I propose in my essay that the ultimate trinity is Body, Mind & Soul and that we can expect physics to eventually describe those terms in the language of physics.

Steve

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Hello Mr. Alfred Tang ,

One of my favorites ,very relevant.

Congratulations and Godd luck for the contest .

Best Regards

Steve

7 days later

Dear Alfred Tang,

I find it an inspiring essay with fresh perspectives. I never thought of Nature as a revelation for physicists, but you're right, theologians and physicists handle the same "revelation". The scope of theologians or religious searchers is broader because they have other revelations at their disposal (scriptures, testimonies...). Physicists focus only on nature and therefore too often forget that there is more from which they could learn (attitudes, methods, thinking process...). May I quote some of your phrases on my twitter profile or blog, linking to your essay?

Regards,

Arjen

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Dear Arjen,

You are certainly welcomed to quote my paper.

Alfred

Alfred

A very interesting and brave essay - but a bit too ambitious for this reader.

I am especially intrigued by the numerology towards the end, which is also featured in the concluding part of my essay - but without any supernatural or religious connotations.

Dear Stefan,

Thank you for your detailed response. As far as prime numbers 2, 3 and 5 in the Pythagorean triangle are concerned, isn't it really 32+42=52? Regarding your comment on selection, mutation and reproduction in evolutionary biology, I think that the first two factors are environmental in nature and therefore different from the last one in character. As a side comment, I am not sure if we can use evolutionary biology as a source of data because it is just an interpretative scheme for fossil record. However the points of your post are well taken.

Alfred

16 days later
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Dear Alfred,

I was pleased to see you write 'It is conceivable that theoretical breakthroughs can be made when new ideas in physics are shaped by old ideas in theology.'

It gives me a little confidence in my notion that if we identify the initial singularity with the monotheist God ('omnino simplex') we can use the psychological theory of the Trinity developed by Augustine and Aquinas (no longer limited to three Persons and updated with the quantum idea that observation takes place in the product space of observer and observed - God the Father and The Word of God) to explain the differentiation of the initial divinity into the current divine universe.

Thankyou,

Jeffrey

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Alfred,

I finally read your essay and like it a lot. It gives a broad view of knowledge and helps break down the false barrier between science and theology. Good work!

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