The Scientific Method as Practiced- its Successes, Limitations, and How to Progress Deeper

Jul 27, 2023 | Article

Abstract

Reason and experience are the generally accepted means to gain reliable knowledge. Objective principles of the scientific method that applies these means are first summarized. Then, its successes are briefly overviewed, as well as limitations revealed by its successes. For example, the principle of subject/object independence core to the scientific method is no longer adequate. Particle entanglement, nonlocality, and the observer’s influence on measurement reveal deeper interdependence (and unified field theory would mean even universal interdependence). Further, limitations in mathematical logic (reason) and ordinary sensory perception (experience) as the scientific method has been practiced are now evident. With just a little deeper reflection, both reason and experience are recognized to be subjective mental processes. This points to the possibility of deeper levels of reason and direct empirical experience in the mind that can unify objective matter, energy, and information with subjective intelligence, mind, and consciousness.
progress in modern physics in the past century to more abstract, holistic theories extend the known range of nature – classical, quantum, quantum field, to unified field theories. Mind and consciousness are now also being examined – which is needed to include the full range. This paper introduces a completely holistic ancient model, with some detail on how contemporary models can map onto it to include the full range of nature. We ‘ll start with the simple ‘ocean/wave’ analogy to help clarify what a completely holistic account means. It also can help, as we proceed, with an intuitive sense of abstract quantum theories difficult to grasp even for many scientists.

Introduction

The means we use to gain knowledge have far-reaching practical consequences for our life. The pre-eminent means is the objective scientific method, which has yielded a massive body of reliable knowledge and rigorous standards of validation, getting us out from under many past shadows of superstition by the light of science. It has strengthened our belief in nature’s order, and our great fortune to witness its ever-expanding display in the vast and extraordinary universe.
Importantly, however, its laudable successes also are now revealing its fundamental limitations. Practicing the objective scientific method, our understanding and experience have remained separate and isolated from the natural world (subject/object independence). This has become so engrained in our everyday life that the underlying unity of nature and its practical value have been almost completely overlooked. It is increasingly evident that the knowledge gained so far by practicing this method has left our lives fragmented, devoid of fundamental meaning, anxiety-prone, and unfulfilled. Even the most successful theories – relativity, quantum, evolutionary theories – contribute to widespread views and lifestyles of groundless relativism, uncertainty and indeterminism, fundamental randomness, and meaninglessness.
Much further, things have gotten so far out of hand in applying modern scientific technology that existential risks to life on Earth are immediately at hand: chemical and electromagnetic pollution of our external and internal environments; nuclear, bio, and cyber weaponry; post-humanist genetic reengineering of our natural genetic inheritance; and uncontrollable AI robots. ‘Hard science’ has contributed to many practical solutions but has led to even harder, more dangerous problems. The situation is quite unhealthy and too intrusive, threatening, and obvious to be ignored. To get to the heart of the issue, the knowledge we want most still eludes us: practical knowledge that alleviates suffering and creates a safe, healthy, deeply fulfilling life experience. Modern science has not gotten us there; applying it, we’ve gotten ourselves into existential crises. It’s imminent cause for a deep pause – to get to what we’ve overlooked in ourselves and our precious home of planet Earth.

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How I Move My Hand

Jun 30, 2023 | Article

Consciousness is being aware of itself.
Consciousness itself is the all-inclusive, infinite, eternal unified field of all possibilities.
Its holistic infinite value is universal consciousness; its reductive point value is individual consciousness.
It is conscious of itself as the all-inclusive unified field (infinite self-referral) and it also expresses itself as individual objects (finite object-referral).
Remaining inside itself as ultimate unity, through its inherent infinite self-referral dynamics, it expresses itself as finite diversity in phenomenal manifest creation.
Ultimate unity is ultimately the only Reality because it is infinite and eternal. Phenomenal diversity can be said to be relatively ‘real’ but ephemeral and finite.
Finite diversity can be described as the expression of inherent intelligence, inherent energy, and inherent resistance to change within the infinite self-referral dynamics of the unified field of consciousness.
Individual consciousness phenomenally manifests as individual soul (jiva) in levels with specific functions, the most abstract and subtle being individual self, then intellect, then mind, then senses and objects of sense.
Phenomenal objects of sense manifest in extremely refined structure and substance (subtle levels of expression), then much less refined (gross level of expression).
The gross level of expression is the ordinary physical level, the least refined and most limited. In modern scientific terms, it is bounded by ‘local’ causal mechanics in the relativistic gravitational field of conventional spacetime, light-speed, and Planck-scale quantization, sometimes theorized to be inert, non-sentient, non-conscious, determinate within the limits of quantum uncertainty, and fundamentally random/indeterminate (but now becoming recognized as determinate but indeterminable due to complexity and limits of measurement processes) — appearing both as independent at the gross physical level but also interdependent at subtle levels.
The subtle levels of expression are finite but not characterized by the same limitations as the gross level. They are nonlocal, non-physical, characterized more as sentient (more intelligent energy, and not fundamentally random).
Within the field of all possibilities in consciousness itself, fluctuations, vibrations, or impulses are expressed into finite manifestation through the self, intellect, mind, and senses to influence phenomenally subtle interdependent and independent finite objects of sense and gross independent finite objects of sense.
The subtle finite objects of sense appear as both local independent and nonlocal interdependent and are non-physical in the sense that they are made of more abstract and refined constituents, and gross finite objects of sense appear as local independent and are physical in the sense that they are made of the gross constituents of the five fundamental quantized force-matter fields: gravitational, strong and weak nuclear, and electromagnetic fields (and Higgs fields), associated with the ancient classification of space, air, fire, water, earth from least to most tangible and concrete).
The subtle objects of sense link and causally interact with the gross objects of sense via the most concrete non-physical subtle objects of sense and the least concrete physical objects of sense — the conventional relativistic gravitational spacetime field (now associated with quantum gravity).
My conscious self and subtle levels of mind produce mental impulses or fluctuations on the subtle non-physical level that directly permeate and influence the physical brain/body that cause muscles in the hand to move according to the mental intentions of my conscious mind.
Gross objects of sense congeal into wholes, into biological organisms, into living beings with increasing expression of inherent ability to develop themselves to higher and higher states of consciousness and understanding and direct experiential validation of their infinite status –eternal self-referral cycle of infinite>finite>infinite.

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What’s the Full Range of Nature?

Sep 1, 2022 | Article

Abstract

Major progress in modern physics in the past century to more abstract, holistic theories extend the known range of nature – classical, quantum, quantum field, to unified field theories. Mind and consciousness are now also being examined – which is needed to include the full range. This paper introduces a completely holistic ancient model, with some detail on how contemporary models can map onto it to include the full range of nature. We ‘ll start with the simple ‘ocean/wave’ analogy to help clarify what a completely holistic account means. It also can help, as we proceed, with an intuitive sense of abstract quantum theories difficult to grasp even for many scientists.

Introduction

Sitting on the beach and looking out, the ocean’s vast expanse extends beyond the horizon – as if it has no boundaries. But we do see boundaries: e.g., the shoreline, and the boundary between the ocean’s surface and skyline above. We could also see and count even individual drops of water in the ocean spray, and individual waves as they break onto the shore. And jumping into the ocean, we could sense the wave currents flowing deeper in the ocean water. It can be thought of as an ‘unbounded’ ocean with droplets, waves, and wave currents when we dive deeper into the ocean. The analogy here is to local particles, quantum waves (‘wavicles’), and ‘non-local’ wave fluctuations within the all-inconclusive ‘ocean’ that includes everything in the entire universe – including us.

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Ignorance and Enlightenment: What’s the difference?

Apr 1, 2022 | Article

Abstract

An emphasis on logical reasoning emerged in ‘Western thought’ in the 18th Century –the ‘Age of Reason’. Also heralded as an ‘Age of Enlightenment’, it led to the ‘Age of Science,’with unprecedented technological advances. However, it is perhaps better characterized as an age emphasizing the discriminative intellect. This is of major importance in order to clarify the perspective from ancient ‘Eastern thought’ that the ‘Age of Reason’ would be the continuance of an age of ‘ignorance’. This paper clearly distinguishes ‘ignorance’ from the profoundly different stages of human development that characterize enlightenment in ‘Eastern thought’.

Introduction

At least since the ‘Age of Reason’ in ‘Western’ thought, there has been a quite superficial view of what enlightenment means.’ This paper briefly summarizes levels of mind and how the level of intellect fits into natural processes of higher human development. ‘Enlightenment’ is not just an intellectual process as implied by how the term ‘Age of Enlightenment’ was used.“Enlightenment’ is based on profound experiences beyond ordinary waking. Extensively described in ancient texts, these natural transformative experiences have been rare in both‘Western’ and ‘Eastern’ traditions.
First, we will briefly consider general meanings of ‘ignorance’ in ancient ‘Eastern thought’. Then, each higher state of consciousness will be described to clarify what is meant by enlightenment. The descriptions detail empirical experiences deeper than intellectual insights or appreciation of the awe-inspiring cosmic expanse in ‘Western’ theories of development and self-actualization. Direct experience of higher, more unified states of consciousness are said to result in permanent development beyond the ‘state of ignorance’. Given the fragmentation and chaos on Earth today, it is imminently needed for the transformation to a healthy, peaceful human civilization.

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