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Introduction (2009): Despite several thousand years of failure to correctly
understand physical reality (hence the current postmodern
view that this is impossible) it is actually very simple to work out
how matter exists and moves about in Space.
The rules of Science
(Occam's Razor / Simplicity) and Metaphysics
(Dynamic Unity of Reality) require that reality be described from only
one substance existing, as Leibniz
wrote; 'Reality cannot be found except in One single source, because of the
interconnection of all things with one another'.
When we deduce
this most Simple Science Theory of Reality we find that there is only
one possible solution: Space must be the substance which exists and matter
is formed from waves in Space. The electron is a spherical standing wave
in Space. See Wave
Diagrams
i.e. While there are many minds and material things, they all exist in one
common Space (just look around you and think about it). We can then show
that the Wave Structure of Matter is the correct solution as it deduces
the fundamentals of Physics
& Philosophy
perfectly (there are no opinions).
I realise that there are a lot of 'crackpot' theories about truth and reality
on the internet, but this solution is the most simple one and it is obvious
once known (though it takes time for our minds to adjust to new knowledge).
In hindsight the error was obvious - to try and describe an interconnected
reality from the foundation of many discrete and separate things, matter
'particles', which then required forces / fields to connect them in space
and time. This was always just a mathematical
solution which never explained how matter was connected across the universe.
For those who are religious
/ spiritual, I think Albert
Einstein expresses the enlightened view of God. He writes 'I believe
in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists,
not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings.'
This harmony arises from a Wave Structure of Matter in Space (we are all
interconnected in this space that we all commonly experience). This unity
of reality (God, Brahman, Tao, Spirit, Energy, Light, Vibration) is central
to all major world religions, thus their common moral
foundation of 'Do unto others as to thyself' as the other is part of
the self.
In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a
revolutionary act. (George Orwell)
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mohandas Gandhi)
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.
(Edmund Burke)
Hell is Truth Seen Too Late. (Thomas Hobbes)
Philosophy Book
Chapter Fourteen: Rene Descartes Brief Biography of Rene Descartes: Summary of Ideas, Portrait & Quotes
This webpage contains a brief overview of the recently published book 'Philosophical Sketches'. Below you will find a short Chapter summary on Rene Descartes, the book cover and back page text, links to other book chapters, and introduction. You can buy this book online at our Cafepress Philosophy Book Shop (Book Details: 90 pages, 30 full page portraits, 8.5 inches by 11 inches, $19.50 USD)
Hope you find it interesting,
Geoff Haselhurst & Karene Jade Howie
Chapter Fourteen: Rene Descartes
René Descartes, also known as Cartesius, was a French philosopher, mathematician and part-time mercenary. He is equally notable for both his groundbreaking work in philosophy and mathematics. As the inventor of the Cartesian coordinate system, he formulated the basis of modern geometry (analytic geometry), which in turn influenced the development of modern calculus. Descartes, sometimes called the Founder of Modern Philosophy and the Father of Modern Mathematics, ranks as one of the most important and influential thinkers in modern western history. He inspired both his contemporaries and later generations of philosophers, leading them to form what we know today as continental rationalism, a philosophical position in 17th and 18th century Europe.
In Meditations on First Philosophy (1641), Descartes attempts to arrive at a fundamental set of principles that one can know as true without any doubt. To achieve this, he employs a method called Methodological Skepticism: he doubts any idea that can be doubted. Initially, Descartes arrives at only a single principle: if I am being deceived, then surely "I" must exist. Most famously, this is known as cogito ergo sum, ("I think, therefore I am"). Therefore, Descartes concludes that he can be certain that he exists. But in what form? You perceive your body through the use of the senses; however these are unreliable (he uses the changing characteristics of wax by a flame as an example and dreams - one's senses perceive things that seem real, but do not actually exist). So Descartes concludes that at this point, he can only say that he is a thinking thing. Thinking is his essence as it is the only thing about him that cannot be doubted. ... (see book for more)
I think, hence I am, was so certain and of such evidence, that no ground of doubt, however extravagant, could be alleged by the skeptics capable of shaking it, I concluded that I might, without scruple, accept it as the first principle of the philosophy of which I was in search.
Several years have now elapsed since I first became aware that I had accepted, even from my youth, many false opinions for true, and that consequently what I afterwards based on such principles was highly doubtful: and from that time I was convinced of the necessity of undertaking once in my life to rid myself of all the opinions I had adopted, and of commencing anew the work of building from the foundation, if I desired to establish a firm and abiding superstructure in the sciences. (Rene Descartes)
A lively and concise journey through the central ideas of thirty famous philosophers. From ancient Indian, Greek and Chinese Philosophy to modern Western Philosophy, this book explores the changing foundations of human knowledge and their effect on how we think and live.
Includes full page portraits, brief biographies and selected quotes from some of the greatest minds of human history on the universal subjects of Truth, Reality, Nature, Cosmos, Wisdom, Morality, Mind, Education, Politics, Art, Religion & God.
Written for the lay person, while remaining true to the original ideas, this is an engaging account of the Metaphysical foundations of Philosophy that is both illuminating and thought provoking. (Cover Photograph: Plato & Aristotle - The School of Athens by Raphael)
Philosophy Book Philosophical Sketches: Chapter Headings & Content Summary
"You must be the change you wish to see in the
world."
(Mohandas
Gandhi)
"When
forced to summarize the general theory of relativity in one sentence:
Time and space and gravitation have no separate existence from matter.
... Physical objects are not in space, but these objects are spatially
extended. In this way the concept 'empty space' loses its meaning.
... The particle can only appear as a limited region in space in which
the field strength or the energy density are particularly high. ...
The free, unhampered exchange of ideas and scientific conclusions
is necessary for the sound development of science, as it is in all spheres
of cultural life. ... We must not conceal from ourselves that
no improvement in the present depressing situation is possible without
a severe struggle; for the handful of those who are really determined
to do something is minute in comparison with the mass of the lukewarm
and the misguided. ... Humanity is going to need a substantially new way of thinking
if it is to survive!" (Albert Einstein)
This is the profound new way of thinking that Einstein
realised, that we exist as spatially extended structures of the universe
- the discrete and separate body an illusion. This simply confirms the
intuitions of the ancient
philosophers and mystics.
It is easy to help - just click on the social network sites (below) or
grab a nice image / quote you like and add it to your favourite blog,
wiki or forum. We are listed as one of the top
philosophy sites on the Internet (300,000 page views / week) and have
a wonderful collection of knowledge from the greatest minds in human history,
so people will appreciate your contributions. Thanks! Geoff
Haselhurst - Karene
Howie - Email
"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is
for good people to do nothing."
(Edmund Burke)
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Chapter Fourteen: Rene Descartes
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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
(Mohandas Gandhi)
The free, unhampered exchange of ideas and scientific conclusions is necessary for the sound development of science, as it is in all spheres of cultural life. ... We must not conceal from ourselves that no improvement in the present depressing situation is possible without a severe struggle; for the handful of those who are really determined to do something is minute in comparison with the mass of the lukewarm and the misguided. ...
Humanity is going to need a substantially new way of thinking if it is to survive!" (Albert Einstein)
This is the profound new way of thinking that Einstein realised, that we exist as spatially extended structures of the universe - the discrete and separate body an illusion. This simply confirms the intuitions of the ancient philosophers and mystics.
Given the current censorship in physics / philosophy of science journals (based on the standard model of particle physics / big bang cosmology) the internet is the best hope for getting new knowledge known to the world. But that depends on you, the people who care about science and society, realise the importance of truth and reality.
It is easy to help - just click on the social network sites (below) or grab a nice image / quote you like and add it to your favourite blog, wiki or forum. We are listed as one of the top philosophy sites on the Internet (300,000 page views / week) and have a wonderful collection of knowledge from the greatest minds in human history, so people will appreciate your contributions. Thanks! Geoff Haselhurst - Karene Howie - Email
"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing."
(Edmund Burke)
Connect with Geoffrey
Support simple sensible science that works
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NOTE (May 2009)
Facebook ConnectWe have just added (below) Facebook Connect, Google Friend and Twitter Applications.
Please feel free to add comments / questions / friendship!
We try to reply within 48 hours. Geoff
Connect in an Inter-Connected Universe!
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"Hell is Truth Seen Too Late."
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