REASONABLE EFFECTIVENESS OF MATHEMATICS

REASONABLE EFFECTIVENESS OF MATHEMATICS

INTRODUCTORY

The validity of a mathematical statement is judged by its logical consistency. The validity of a physical statement is judged by its correspondence to reality. We collect too much data and without judging properly reject most (like at LHC). If we re-envision classical and quantum observations as macroscopic overlap of quantum effects, we may solve most problems. The physics community blindly accepts rigid, linear ideas about the nature of space, time, dimension, etc. These theories provide conceptual convenience and attractive simplicity for pattern analysis, but at the cost of ignoring equally-plausible alternative interpretations of observed phenomena that could possibly have explained the universe better. Modern theories do not give a precise definition of the technical terms used, but give an operational definition that can be manipulated according to convenience. Wigner¹ defined mathematics as the science of skilful operations with concepts and rules invented just for this purpose. This is too open-ended. What is skilful operation? What are the concepts and Rules? Who invented them? What is the purpose? Do all concepts and rules have to be mathematical? Wigner says: The great mathematician fully, almost ruthlessly, exploits the domain of permissible reasoning and skirts the impermissible, but leaves out what is permissible and what is not; leaving scope for manipulation.

Relations between material objects must be expressed in a language compatible with the way in which objects in the real world actually interact - through the transmission/reception of mass/energy/information. Every object is a summation of the same fundamental stuff (quarks, leptons, etc) in varying orders. Events are energy rearranging fundamental particles. The space-time location makes intervals in both space and time dependent on where we measure them from. This implies space-time is related to the origin of the coordinates of the observer’s frame of reference. Measurement is carried out at here-now – thus, time variant (since now is the fleeting interface between past and future). Its quantitative description is mathematics – it describes the changing physical phenomena when the number or arrangement of any of the constituent parameters is changed. The changes are expressed as the result of measurement after comparison with a scaling constant (standard unit). These are always pure numbers, i.e., scalar quantities, because measurement is only the operation of scaling up or down the unit for an appropriate number of times. The results of measurement, which are time invariant, are frozen even though the object measured continues to evolve in time. Your 10 year old photo is not you.

Mathematics is the ordered accumulation and reduction in numbers of the same class (linear or vector) or partially similar class (non-linear or set) of objects. Number is one of the properties of all substances by which we differentiate between similars. If there is nothing similar at here-now, the number associated with the object is one. If there are similars, the number is many. Our sense organs and measuring instruments are capable of measuring only one at a time. Thus, many is a collection of successive one’s. Based on the sequence of perception of such one’s, many can be 2, 3, 4….n. In a fraction, the denominator represents the one’s, out of which some (numerator) are taken. Zero is the absence of something at here-now that is known to exist elsewhere (otherwise we will not perceive its absence at all).

Burrowing from M. Polanyi, Wigner says¹: The principal point …. is that the mathematician could formulate only a handful of interesting theorems without defining concepts beyond those contained in the axioms and that the concepts outside those contained in the axioms are defined with a view of permitting ingenious logical operations which appeal to our aesthetic sense both as operations and also in their results of great generality and simplicity. Wigner admits not only the incompleteness of mathematics but also its manipulation according to the aesthetic sense of the operator. He gives the example of complex numbers and burrowing from Hilbert², admits: Certainly, nothing in our experience suggests the introduction of these quantities. Indeed, if a mathematician is asked to justify his interest in complex numbers, he will point, with some indignation, to the many beautiful theorems in the theory of equations, of power series, and of analytic functions in general, which owe their origin to the introduction of complex numbers. The mathematician is not willing to give up his interest in these most beautiful accomplishments of his genius. A reverse self-fulfilling effect!

Negative numbers are related to mutually exclusive objects or events of a coupled system. For example, position (fixed coordinates) and momentum (mobile coordinates) are mutually exclusive. In two accelerating frames of reference, one who gains has positive value corresponding to the negative value of the other. Since one is without similars, it does not change the value in any operation except linear addition and subtraction (becoming many or zero). Thus, squaring or square-root of 1 is 1 (these involve field). Since negative numbers belong to mutually exclusive couplets and not exclusive one’s, complex numbers are neither physically nor mathematically valid. No computer algorithm is possible using complex numbers.

Infinity is like one: without similars. But whereas the dimensions of one are fully perceptible, the dimensions of infinity are not perceptible. There cannot be negative infinity to positive infinity through zero, as it will show one beginning or end of infinity at the zero point, which is non-existent at here-now. No mathematics is possible with infinity, as all operations involving it will have undefined dimensions – thus indistinguishable from each other. History shows that whenever infinity appears in any theoretical model, it points to some fundamentally different and novel phenomena. In aerodynamics formulas, as the velocity approached the velocity of sound in the medium where the aircraft moved, the resistance of the medium returned infinite figure. It was believed that supersonic motion is impossible. But when supersonic motion became obvious, the formulas were reviewed. It was noted that they described resistance only in a continuous medium without abrupt jumps in density and pressure. However, transition from subsonic to supersonic motion involves a shock wave in front of the body, leading to abrupt jumps in density and pressure. When these factors were taken into account, the infinity vanished.

The so-called irrational numbers are also perceived as the nearest fraction of integers. Otherwise, we cannot use them in programming. We may be as precise as we want to fix the value of a number tending to zero, but it will never be zero, as that will make it non-existent at here-now making the operation impossible. Similarly, a number tending to infinity will never become infinite, as the result of all such operations become indistinguishable from each other. Like energy, infinities coexist. Only, space, time, coordinates and consciousness are infinite.

Language is the transposition of information to another system’s CPU or mind by signals or sounds using energy (self communication is perception). The transposition may relate to a fixed object/information. It can be used in different domains and different contexts or require modifications in prescribed manner depending upon the context. Since mathematics follows these rules, it is also a language. Mathematics explains only how much one quantity, whether scalar or vector; accumulate or reduce linearly or non-linearly in interactions involving similar or partly similar quantities and not what, why, when, where, or with whom about the objects. These are subject matters of physics. The interactions are chemistry. There is no equation for Observer. The enchanting smile on the lips of the beloved is not the same as geometry of mouth or curvature of lips. Thus, mathematics is not the sole language of Nature.

MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS

            Because of logical consistency, mathematics is always deterministic. Look at the structure of any equation. The initial condition or parameters are represented by the left hand side. The equality sign describes the special conditions to be met to start any interaction: be it at macro level or micro level. Given the initial conditions, the right hand side describes the theorized outcome of the interaction. We are free to vary the parameters of the left hand side. That is our freewill (though our choices or degrees of freedom may be variously limited). Once the initial parameters are set; (math can’t predict this), the right hand side (final outcome), varies correspondingly. This predetermined outcome is mathematics. The equality signs - the special conditions (like temperature threshold to start a chemical reaction), are also predetermined. But it is not defined in a logically consistent way (why that temperature?) – hence not mathematical.

            Some say; mathematics, because of its inbuilt logic, writes itself - one can start writing things down without knowing exactly what they are, and the language makes suggestions to proceed. This is the ergodic monkey phenomenon, where a monkey plays with the key-board randomly and the outcome is a master piece of a novel. Though theoretically it is possible as a chance, it does not happen in reality. Others say: Master enough of the basics; and you rapidly enter what sports players call ‘the zone’. Suddenly it gets much easier. You are propelled along. This is the 100^th monkey phenomenon of Sheldrake - notion that new skills are learnt with increasing ease as greater quantities of a population acquire them. There is no proof to justify this view beyond chance and functional ease due to repeated use.

            Wigner says¹: applied mathematics is not so much the master of the function: it is merely serving as a tool. Others say; using mathematics, we can build abstract models without the restrictions imposed by the physical world. This leads to the incompleteness issues, which exploit problems arising out of unnatural mathematics. We see something when the radiation emitted by it interacts with our eyes. We touch the mass that radiates light. Thus we do not touch what we see (radiation) and see what we touch (mass). Nature prohibits reductionism. Whole is a sum of its parts and more. Water is more than 2H and O. A triangle is more than three straight lines. This is natural number theory.  5 has independent perceptual value than 5 ones.  If we can purchase a car in € 5k, with € 1k, we can purchase 1/5 of a car. This may look mathematically valid, but 1/5 of a car is an undecidable proposition. Hilbert’s problem whether mathematics is complete (every statement in the language of number theory can be either proved or disproved) and Gödel’s negative solution arise out of such unnatural mathematics. Brute force approach is similarly unnatural, though sometimes it may succeed by chance.

            Wigner is right when he talks about¹ the succession of layers of laws of nature, each layer containing more general and more encompassing laws than the previous one and its discovery constituting a deeper penetration into the structure of the universe than the layers recognized before. This is the principle that both macrocosm and microcosm replicate each other. As the Minutes of the American Mathematical Society for October, 2005 reported, the theory of dynamical systems used to plan trajectories of spacecrafts and those of transition states of chemical reactions share the same set of mathematics. Wigner is also right that all these laws of nature contain … only a small part of our knowledge of the inanimate world. But he misses the point when he says: All the laws of nature are conditional statements which permit a prediction of some future events on the basis of the knowledge of the present, except that some aspects of the present state of the world…are irrelevant from the point of view of the prediction. In fact, it is most relevant as the probabilistic laws of Nature. The conditional statements show interdependence of all systems in the cosmos. Our sense organs and measuring devices have limited capacity, so that it measures limited aspects in limited intervals. Since time evolution is not uniform, but conditional on interactions, we do not see each step from the flapping of the wings of the butterfly till it turns into tempest elsewhere. The creation is highly ordered and there is no randomness or chaos. We fault Nature to hide our inability to know.

            Wigner says: The physicist is interested in discovering the laws of inanimate nature…. It is, as Schrodinger has remarked, a miracle that in spite of the baffling complexity of the world, certain regularities in the events could be discovered. In an earlier paper³, we have shown that: uncertainty is not a law of Nature. It is the result of natural laws relating to measurement related to causality that reveal a kind of granularity at certain levels of existence. The uncertainty relation of Heisenberg was reformulated in terms of standard deviations, where the focus was exclusively on the indeterminacy of predictions, whereas the unavoidable disturbance in measurement process was ignored. A formulation of the error – disturbance uncertainty relation, taking the perturbation into account, was essential for a deeper understanding of the uncertainty principle. By directly measuring errors and disturbances in the observation of spin components, Ozawa developed a formulation: ε (q) η(p) + σ(q)η(p) + σ(p)ε(q) ≥ h/4π. Ozawa’s inequality suggests that suppression of fluctuations is not the only way to reduce error, but it can be achieved by allowing a system to have larger fluctuations. Nature Physics (doi:10.1038/nphys2194) describes a neutron-optical experiment that records the error of a spin-component measurement as well as the disturbance caused on another spin-component. The results confirm that both error and disturbance obey the new relation but violate the old one in a wide range of experimental parameters. Even when either the source of error or disturbance is held to nearly zero; the other remains finite: thus, mutually exclusive. that is said to encode the causal structure of Spacetime. Each event in Spacetime has a double-cone attached to it, where the vertex corresponds to the event itself. Time runs vertically - the upward cone opens to future of this event. The downward cone shows past. But if the light pulse radiates in all directions, it should show concentric spheres and not a double-cone. The trick is done by first taking two dimensions and time as the third dimension. But even then it will be concentric circles and not a conic section. Event horizon is the limit of our vision.

            Light Cone is a mathematical model

Not only time is cyclic, but also is unidirectional because ‘now’ is linked to future in a different way; than it is linked to the past. Space, Time and coordinates arise from our concept of sequence and interval. When it is related to objects, we call the interval space. When it is related to events, we call the interval time. When we describe inter-relationship of objects, we describe the interval by coordinates. Present and future are segments of these sequences of intervals that are strictly ordered - future always follows present. The same is not true for past, because any past event can be linked to the present bypassing the specific sequence. This proves unidirectional time. Since the intervals are infinite, space and time are an infinite continuum. We use segments of this analog reality. Thus, our description relates to here-now over a medium scale, which we tend to universalize. This gives a distorted picture.

MISSING THE WOODS FOR THE TREES

Does the structure and availability of existing mathematics shape the formulation of physical theories? Yes! Examples:

Dimension is the perception of differentiation between internal structural space and external relational space of an object. Since we observe through electromagnetic radiation, where the electric field and the magnetic field move perpendicular to each other and both move perpendicular to the direction of motion, we have three mutually perpendicular dimensions representing length, breadth, height that are invariant under mutual transformation. There are no extra large or compact or n’th dimension. The surface of a cube is not 2D, as it has no independent existence. There is no independent straight line in 1D. It is a mark on a three dimensional paper or space. The surface of a sphere is not 1D, but 3D.

Directions (axes) and sequential arrangement (coordinates) of an object are used with reference to an origin in relation to other objects. With only one object, direction is meaningless. Direction is used to:

1) Measure distance between two objects from origin by assigning + or – signs   from origin along various axes.

2) Indicate shortest distance between two objects on a curved surface like a geodesic.

3) Reflect the behavior of fundamental forces of Nature; i.e., strong interactions move towards center, part of weak interactions limits movement away from center, e.m. interaction move out from center to lower concentration, beta-decay separates a part from the center, gravitational interaction relates interaction between bodies. But often, dimension is exchanged for direction in phase space portrait and its quantum Avatar, Hilbert space. This leads to the undecidable propositions.

If we divide 20 by 5, then we take out bunches of 5 from the lot of 20. When the lot becomes empty or the remainder is zero or below 5 (divisor) so that it cannot be considered a bunch and taken away further, the number of bunches of 5 are counted. That gives the result of division as 4. In case of division by zero, we are supposed to take out bunches of zero, which is impossible as it is not at here-now of the operator. At no stage the lot becomes zero or less than zero. Thus, the operation is not complete and result of division cannot be known, just like while dividing 20 by 5, we cannot start counting the result after taking away two bunches. Conclusion: division by zero is mathematically void; hence it leaves the number unchanged. Since zero does not exist at here-now, it does not affect addition or subtraction. During multiplication by zero, one non-linear component of the quantity is extended to zero, i.e., moves away from here-now to a superposition of states. Thus, the result becomes zero for the total component, as we cannot have a Schrödinger’s undead cat in real life. In division by zero, the non-existent part is sought to be reduced from the quantity (which is an operation akin to collapse reversal in quantum mechanics), leaving the quantity unchanged. Division by zero leaves the number unchanged.

Two possibilities of measurement of a moving rod suggested by Einstein in his 1905 paper⁴ were:

(a) The observer moves together with the given measuring-rod and the rod to be measured, and measures the length of the rod directly by superposing the measuring-rod, in just the same way as if all three were at rest, or

(b) By means of stationary clocks set up in the stationary system and synchronizing with a clock in the moving frame, the observer ascertains at what points of the stationary system the two ends of the rod to be measured are located at a definite time. The distance between these two points, measured by the measuring-rod already employed, which in this case is at rest, is the length of the rod.

The method described at (b) is misleading. We can do this only by setting up a measuring device to record the emissions from both ends of the rod at the designated time, (which is the same as taking a photograph of the moving rod) and then measure the distance between the two points on the recording device in any unit. But the picture will not give a correct reading because:

• If the length of the rod is small or velocity is small, then length contraction will not be perceptible according to the formula given by Einstein.
• If the length of the rod is big or velocity is comparable to that of light, then light from different points of the rod will take different times to reach the recording device and the picture we get will be distorted due to different Doppler shift. Thus, there is only one way of measuring the length of the rod as in (a).

The fallacy in the above description is that if one treats as if all three were at rest, one cannot measure velocity or momentum, as the object will have zero relative velocity. Einstein missed this point when in the same paper⁴, he said: Now to the origin of one of the two systems (k) let a constant velocity v be imparted in the direction of the increasing x of the other stationary system (K), and let this velocity be communicated to the axes of the co-ordinates, the relevant measuring-rod, and the clocks. But is this the velocity of k as measured from k, or is it the velocity as measured from K? K and k each have their own clocks and measuring rods, which are not treated as equivalent by Einstein. Therefore, according to his theory, they will measure the velocity of k differently. Einstein does not assign the velocity specifically to either system. Everyone missed it and got misled. His spinning disk example in GR also falls for the same reason.

On the definition of synchronization Einstein says: Let a ray of light start at the “A time” t_A from A towards B, let it at the “B time” t_B be reflected at B in the direction of A, and arrive again at A at the “A time” t’_A. In accordance with definition the two clocks synchronize if:

 t_B -  t_A = t’_A - t_B.

We assume that this definition of synchronism is free from contradictions, and possible for any number of points; and that the following relations are universally valid:

1. If the clock at B synchronizes with the clock at A, the clock at A synchronizes with the clock at B.
2. If the clock at A synchronizes with the clock at B and also with the clock at C, the clocks at B and C also synchronize with each other.

The concept of relativity is valid only between two objects. Introduction of a third object brings in the concept of privileged frame of reference and all equations of relativity fall. In the above description, the clock at A is treated as a privileged frame of reference for proving synchronization of the clocks at B and C. Yet, he claims it is relative!

Russell’s paradox raises an interesting question: If S is the set of all sets which do not have themselves as a member, is S a member of itself? The general principle is that: there cannot be a set without individual elements. Collection of different objects unrelated to each other would be individual members as it does not satisfy the condition of a set. Thus a collection of objects is either a set with its elements, or individual objects that are not the elements of a set.

Example: p(x): x Ï x, is the defining property p(x) of any element x such that it does not belong to x. Many sets have this property. A library p(x) is a collection of books. But a book is not a library x Ï x. Suppose this property defines the set R ={x : x Ï x}. It must be possible to determine if RÎR or RÏR. However if RÎR; then the defining properties of R implies RÏR, which contradicts the supposition that: RÎR. Similarly, the supposition RÏR confers on R the right to be an element of R, again leading to a contradiction. The only possible conclusion is that, the property x Ï x cannot define a set. It is convenient to choose a largest set in any given context called the universal set and confine the study to the elements of such universal set only. This set may vary in different contexts, but in a given set up, the universal set should be so specified that no occasion arises ever to digress from it. Otherwise, there is every danger of colliding with paradoxes such as the Russell’s paradox. In the case of EP, we do blunder!

All objects fall in similar ways under the influence of gravity. Hence locally, it is said, the difference between an accelerated frame and an un-accelerated frame cannot be known. But these must be related to be compared as equivalent or not? In the example of a person in an elevator falling down a shaft, it is assumed that during any sufficiently small amount of time or over a sufficiently small space, the person can make no distinction between being in the falling elevator and being stationary in completely empty space, where there is no gravity. This is a wrong description – distinction of what? Unless we relate the elevator to the outside space, we cannot relate motion of the elevator to it. The moment we relate to the structures beyond the elevator, we can know the relative motion of the elevator. Inside a spaceship in deep space, objects behave like Brownian motion (unaccelerated) or like the asteroids in the asteroid belt (accelerated). Usually, they are relatively stationary within the medium unless some other force acts upon them. If the person can see the outside objects, then he can know the relative motions by comparing objects at different distances. If he cannot see the outside objects, then he will consider only his position with reference to the spaceship – stationary or floating within a frame. There is no equivalence because there is no other frame for comparison. Relativity theory needs revision.

A same logic applies to the ray of light that appears curved to the occupants of the spaceship. The light can be related to the spaceship only if we consider the bigger frame of reference containing the source of light and the spaceship. If we consider outside space as a separate frame of reference unrelated to the spaceship, the ray emitted by it cannot be considered inside it. If the passenger could observe the scene outside, he will notice this difference and know that the spaceship is moving. Otherwise, the consideration will be restricted to the rays emanating from within, which will move straight. In either case, the description is faulty. Thus, the foundation of GR - the EP - is wrong description of reality. Hence all mathematical derivatives built upon such wrong description are wrong. There is no inertial mass increase.

Einstein has used equations x²+y²+z²- (ct)² = 0 and ξ² + η² + ζ² – (cτ)² = 0 to describe the evolution of the same light pulse that the observers see. But x²+y²- (ct)² = 0 describes a circle with ct as the radius! Hence z and ζ have to be zero. It can’t be a sphere! Since (x. y. z) is a point on the circumference, moving in z direction will be tangential. It describes a cylinder and not a sphere! The geometer’s descriptions of π-sphere and the topologist’s descriptions of n-dimensional sphere are mathematically and physically void.

Einstein can describe two concentric spheres with the points (x,y,z) and (ξ, η, ζ ) on their respective circumferences. Since the second person is moving away from the origin, the second equation relates to sighting from his here-now (new origin). Assuming he sees the same sphere, he should know its origin (because he has already seen it, otherwise he will not know that it is the same light pulse). In case he takes a new measurement from his origin, according to Einstein, the reading from two frames will be different. In other words, he will either measure it independently as different or measure the same radius as the other, implying:  either:

x²+y²+z²- c²t² ≠ x’²+y’²+z’²-c² τ ²,     t ≠ τ.

Or c²t² = c² τ²   or t = τ.    This creates contradictions, which invalidates his mathematics.

LOOKING AHEAD

            Recent discovery of galactic blue-shift (Lowell Observatory Bulletin No. 58 Vol. II No. 8) and arXiv: 1402.6319 v1 [astro-ph.GA], galactic merger (Astronomy Newsletter - 18^th July, 2014) and the absence of red-shift in galactic or lesser scales should prove dark energy a myth. Energy is perceived through its interactions. If it is not interacting, it cannot be energy. Fluids are also smooth and persistent. Interpretation of M & M experiment is faulty, as light is a transverse wave, which is background invariant. Like the solar system, the universe is spinning around a galactic center. Dark energy is the universal background structure.

            Abundance of ‘Hot Jupiters’ among alien planets and protons in cosmic rays shows macro-micro relation. Separately we have shown that the internal structures of Jupiter and proton are similar.

Bare mass or bare charge is fiction. The equation e = mc² is mathematically invalid as LHS is time invariant and RHS time variant (per second). It should be written as (m) e → (mc)² which balances it to show the rate at which energy acts on mass. Energy cannot be confined in packets, but only by mass. Confined mass-energy is fermion (hence half integer spin) and unconfined mass-energy is boson (zero spin). Fluid (intermediate) behavior is integer spin.

            Result of Time dilation experiment with atomic clocks was faked. This can be verified from the original data kept at US Naval Archives. The delayed signal of GPS is due to refraction when the signal re-enters the denser atmosphere of Earth. Time dilation is relative time evolution of elements in entropy, where thermodynamic process sustains life and total disorder is annihilation of form.

           

There is a need to ponder over these issues, introspect and rewrite physics.

REFERENCES

1.      Eugene Wigner, “The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences,” in Communications in Pure and Applied Mathematics, vol. 13, No. I

2.      Abh. Math. Sem., Univ. Hamburg, 157 (1922), or Gesammelte Werke (Berlin: Springer, 1935), p. 188.

3.      “Is Reality Digital or Analogue” published by the FQXi Community on Dec. 29, 2010,

4.      “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies” by Einstein.

HOW MUCH FREE IS FREEWILL

HOW MUCH FREE IS FREEWILL

INTRODUCTORY:

            Look at the structure of any equation. The initial condition or parameters are represented by the left hand side. The equality (or inequality) sign describes the special conditions to be met to start any reaction or interaction such as the critical temperature in a chemical reaction or minimum energy requirement to break the inertia of a system, etc. Given the initial conditions, the right hand side describes the theorized outcome of the interaction. We can vary the parameters of the left hand side. That is our freewill (though our choices or degrees of freedom may be limited). The right hand side of the equation will vary correspondingly as long as the equality sign holds. Once the initial parameters are set, the outcome - is predetermined. The equality sign - the special conditions - are also predetermined limiting freewill; otherwise there will be no theory.

            Before proceeding further, let us look at Nature. The flow of energy (including fluids where the binding energy is less compared to solids) is always from higher density to lower density - they self-organize or tend to achieve equal concentration or equality (sama rasa). The up quarks and down quarks interchange perpetually to convert protons to neutrons and vice versa. Planets wobble in their orbits to self organize the barycenter when it is disturbed due to interaction of various bodies that revolve around the star. Sea water level self organizes through high and low tides. Are these freewill or deterministic?

            Let us take another example. The essential ingredients like water, minerals (food), etc, in plants defy gravity to move upwards (Oordhwa srotaa). The flow in all other living beings except human beings is always slanted (Teeryak srotaa). In human beings, it is essentially from head downwards (Arvaak srotaa). In fact, the flow of semen during intercourse follows this pattern - so that only human beings can copulate facing each other in their normal posture with male up (give out) and female down (take in). All others have to compulsorily bend or turn differently for copulation (Teeryak yoni).

            To understand the gravity defying mechanism of plants, let us consider the effect of gravity on astronauts. When on Earth, the fluids in the human body are distributed unevenly because of gravity. Most fluid pools in the lower extremities, leaving very little fluid in the top of the body. But if we go to space, in the first few weeks most astronauts appear to have a puffy head and skinny legs. The fluid in their bodies redistributes evenly when gravity is not playing a significant role in their biological systems. After some time in orbit, the body adapts to the new distribution of fluids and the astronauts do not appear as puffy – it self-regulates. In the near zero relative gravity of space, muscles are not needed to support the body. Instead of maintaining the usual base of muscle mass needed for life on Earth, astronauts’ bodies tend to get rid of unnecessary tissues. Astronauts have to exercise for two hours a day on the space station to maintain a healthy amount of muscle mass. The exercise also helps prevent bone-density loss. Each month, astronauts could lose up to 1 percent of their bone density if they do not get enough exercise.

According to a report published in the magazine PLOS ONE:  DOI: 10.1371/ journal.pone.0106207, there is a large discrepancy between physiological and functional thresholds about which we should be cautious when preparing for exposure to low gravity fields. The strength of gravity required from the physiological threshold for linear acceleration in up and down directions has been estimated to be 15 percent of Earth’s gravity – nearly equal to the Moon’s gravity. The perception of up-down is determined not only by gravity, but also visual information, when available, and assumptions about the orientation of the body. Here on Earth, plants and animals are exposed to the same amount of gravity as human beings. Yet, their body functions as if they are in space – distributing body fluids equally everywhere. If the flow is in the direction of growth; then humans should be reptiles – body mass distributed down like a fluid. How to explain this?

            All our biological functions are powered by heart and lungs that pump blood and oxygen. Once the heart starts beating in the mother’s womb, the process continues perpetually till death. The mechanism can be described using deterministic physical laws (we measure blood pressure to know the rate and pace at which blood is released by the heart). But how does the initial heart beat begin? (It will require another paper.) A cell can sense its internal errors during metabolism and self organize. The bird’s flight path in V formation is an effect of self organization for easier navigation. Unlike such conscious functions as locomotion, we do not have any choice or freewill in such self organization. This is a type of energy flow that follows mechanical rules. Thus it has to be deterministic. How do we differentiate between self organization and functions like locomotion?

            Self determination and freewill is the same thing. It is different from self organization/regulation, which is totally deterministic – seeking equilibrium. Self determination has limited degrees of freedom. We can determine whether to walk or where to walk, but we cannot walk everywhere – like, on water or in air. We cannot walk beyond a limit. We cannot determine whether or how our heart or lungs should function. They are in perpetual motion, but also self organize when needed (pulse rate or heart beat adjusts to stress and strain); hinting at special deterministic conditions for their functioning.

            Dr. Shapiro and others concluded that ‘Consciousness’ is the universal and ubiquitous foundation of life. But what is consciousness? In quantum mechanics, there is the famous Copenhagen interpretation of Bohr, which talks about observer created reality. The observer is said to be an intelligent agent. There is much controversy about the observer. Is the Schrödinger’s cat an intelligent agent? Similarly, there is search for ‘life’ and ‘extra-terrestrial intelligence’ on different planets and galaxies. Though life or consciousness has been defined variously, till date there is no precise definition of what constitutes life. We will discuss these questions from the perspective of Ayurveda.

DEFINING LIFE:

            According to Charaka, “Shareerendriyasattwaatmasamyoga dhaari jeevitam” - life is the conglomeration of body, sensory agencies, mind and Self. Elsewhere it has been said that “Sendriyam chetanadravyam, neerindriyam achetanam” - existence or non-existence of the sensory agencies differentiate between living and inert. Also, “Praana dhaaranam jeevanam” – one having prana vayu is called living. Here prana vayu is the first among the five functions of the vital energy, which, according to Ashtaanga Hrhdayam, activates all sensory agencies. Thus, possession of sensory agencies is the sign of life. Here the sensory organs, which are body matter, must be distinguished from sensory agencies – “indriyam”, literally meaning dedicated to “Indra”, which, according to Shatapatha Braahmanam 6-1-1-2, means; instrumental through energizing (indhana). For example, eyes are sense organs. But we can see only when eyes have the capacity to receive electromagnetic impulse and send it to the brain via mind for processing. The energy that powers the capacity for such reception and transmission is sensory agency – “indriyam” (it includes mind).

            According to this classification, the plants have only one primary sensory agency: touch (sparsha), which incorporates all other senses in a secondary manner. The virus and bacteria (swedaja) have two primary sensory agencies: touch (sparsha) and taste (rasa). However, the word taste does not capture the full implication of rasa, which indicates the chemical composition. For example, all sugar varieties have a chemical composition like C₆H₁₂O₆, C₁₁H₂₂O₁₁, etc., which can be written as C_x (H₂O)_x. According to Ayurveda, “madhura rasa” or sugar is formed by equal combination of prhthwi and jal tattwas. Here prhthwi means all solids (yat kaathinyam, tat prhthwi). Since ours is carbon based life, addition of carbon (prhthwi) and water (Jal) in equal proportions becomes sugar and confirm the Ayurvedic formulation. The insects (keeta) have three primary sensory agencies: touch (sparsha), taste (rasa) and form (rupa). The animals (chatushpada) and those produced from eggs (andaja - birds, snakes, etc) have four primary sensory agencies. They are deficient in one of the sensory agencies. However, they develop extraordinary capability in one of their sensory agencies. Only humans have all five primary sensory agencies in a balanced manner. None of these has extraordinary powers.

            How do our sensory agencies function? At any moment, our sense organs are bombarded by a multitude of stimuli. But at any instant only one of them is given a clear channel to go up to the thalamus and then to the cerebral cortex, so that like photographic frames, we perceive one discrete frame at every instant, but due to the high speed of their reception, mix it up - so that it appears as continuous. Unlike the sensory agencies that are subject specific (eyes can only receive electromagnetic radiation, ears only sound, etc.); the transport system within the body functions for all types of sensory impulses. This occurs against concentration gradients with the input energy like the sodium-potassium pump in our body, which moves the two ions in opposite directions across the plasma membrane through break down of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Concentrations of the two ions on both sides of the cell membrane are interdependent, suggesting that the same carrier transports both ions. Similarly, the same carrier transports the external stimuli from sensory agencies to the cerebral cortex and back as a command. This carrier is the “indriyam” called mind. The existence of mind is inferred from the knowledge or lack of it about external stimuli. Only if the mind transports different external impulses to the brain for mixing and comparison with the stored data, we (Self) know about that (for the first time impulse received about something, there is no definite ‘knowledge’).

            The brain acts like a computer. In communication technology, in addition to encryption (language phrased in terms of algorithms executed on certain computing machines - sequence of symbols), compression (quantification and reduction of complexity - grammar) and data transmission (sound, signals), there is a necessity of mixing information (mass of text, volume of intermediate data, time over which such process will be executed) related to different aspects (readings generated from different fields), with a common code (data structure - strings) to bring it to a format “it is like/ not like that”. Such mixing is done through data, text, spread-sheets, pictures, voice and video. Data are discretely defined fields. What the user sees is controlled by software - a collection of computer programs. What the hardware sees is bytes and bits.

In perception, data are the response of our sensory agencies to individual external stimuli. Text is the excitation of the neural network in specific regions of the brain. Spreadsheets are the memories of earlier perception. Pictures are the inertia of motion generated in memory (thought) after a fresh impulse, linking related past experiences. Voice is the disturbance created due to the disharmony between the present thought and the stored image (this or that, yes or no). Video is the net thought that emerges out of such interaction. Software is the memory. Hardware includes the neural network. Bytes and bits are the changing interactions of the sense organs (string) with the respective fields generated by objects evolving in time.

It requires an agent to mix these signals and convert them to electro-chemical information and submit to a conscious agent (operator) to cognize and utilize them. In perception, the former tasks are done by a transitory neural activity in brain called intellect. Though, it is not directly perceptible, it is inferred from its actions - firing of positrons in specific areas of brain during perception. Hence even after the breath stops, a person may not be brain dead as the intellect (and not the mind) may still be functional. While mind facilitates the transport of various external impulses, the mixing and interpretation of the state of superposition of various thoughts/inputs in memory (vikalpa), is done by this transitory intellect. The Conscious Self that cognizes is different from all these.

We can know about something that exists only when it is revealed to our Self for observation. All revelations involve instantaneous transfer of energy, whose existence is realized only during change of state of the observed. Since the basic concepts cognized by all persons at all times are similar, and since the cognition of “I” is always related to all perceptions, it must be universal. It does not grow or reduce. It is not affected by these transformations, like the Sun is not affected when the water flows or is muddied and its reflection is affected by such actions. When water flows from a higher position to lower down, if it faces an obstruction, it takes whatever channel is available and goes till its surface balance is maintained. On the other side (side facing Earth), it acquires the shape of the Earth’s surface. It is like casting of a die for using mould to create a shape. Similarly, all impulses carried by mind is mixed and presented through reflection by intellect for observation by Conscious Self, which is the repository of all concepts. After it is compared with the data bank (memory) of concepts associated with Self, we cognize as ‘I know this (the object) is like that (the concept)’. That ‘Knower’ or ‘Observer’ is Consciousness.

ACTION AND UNCERTAINTY:

The Universe is called jagat because everything in it is ever moving – from atomic level to galactic level. Thus, action is the essence of the Universe. Actions are of two types: 1) automated perpetual action, such as the time evolution of elementary particles or our internal body functions that generates a fixed inertia (repetitive), and 2) directed composite action (efforts through freewill) that generates differential inertia, depending upon the nature of the action inducing such inertia. Whenever individual actions are grouped with a view to get desired results (apekshaa buddhi krhta karma), it generates an induced inertia (karma vyuha) that changes the nature of time evolution. In automated action (upekshaa buddhi krhta karma) like those of galaxies, quarks, atoms or our internal body systems, etc, they perpetually evolve deterministically in time.

The inertia generated in directed composite actions with freewill may change the nature of perpetual time evolution. The performers of such action are bound (vaddha jeeva) by the induced reaction till this inertia ceases and they come over to the automated time evolution (nihshreyas). All other (free) species (mukta jeeva) are called perpetually evolutionary species (aashwatthika jeeva). They have two divisions: fixed evolutionary (Brahma aashwatthika) and functional evolutionary (niyata karma aashwatthika). The first category is inert like galaxy, Sun, Earth, Moon, atoms, etc, which have fixed orbital positions. Our body is constituted of these. The other category is conscious, which does not have a fixed position and is in perpetual motion (quantum or devaõh). Thus, there is no fixed position in the quantum world. Our sensory agencies belong to this category.

 According to Rhk Veda 1-164-15, the sensory agency – “indriyam” are “Devajaah” – expressed through such energies as heat (Agni), air (Vayu), radiation (Aaditya) etc. Though inherently mobile in nature, they remain fixed in their spheres (Teshamishtaani vihitaani dhaamashah). Yet they create deformations in fixed living organisms (sthaataa) by deforming themselves through association (Sthaatre rejante vikrhtaani roopashah). Coupling between these two categories in specific proportions (eigen value) starts life forms. Extreme change in their proportion (ativartana) leads to destruction of that life form. Then, the different components disintegrate and merge with similars. Self is conscious and is different because it has no motion or time evolution.

            This is borne out from the fact that 99% of the genes coding for proteins – body matter - present in the human genome also appear to be present in the rat genome. Similarly, humans and chimpanzees share about 75% of their genes, when factoring the so-called “junk DNA”. Nothing is junk – everything has its use somewhere. Gene expression is nothing but chemistry. Genes are body matter and activities of the expressed proteins depend upon the mix of fixed evolutionary and functional evolutionary components. The rats are used as models for studying human diseases in a limited way because both contain the same components, though in different proportions, which explains the differences in their phenotypes. This also explains the higher intelligence level of human beings.

HOW MUCH FREE IS FREEWILL?

When we become aware of some deficiency about something, and also have the knowledge of the mechanism (based on our past experience, which may or may not be the right choice) to fulfill that desire; the brain directs functional organs to execute such action. This is our freewill. If the conditions necessary for their fructification are met, the outcome is deterministic. Our stored knowledge (memory), which is based on previous perceptions, is incomplete, because our life span is limited. Similarly, our sense organs and measuring instruments have the ability to report time evolution only in phases – not totally (space) or continuously (time). We may observe the building up of a storm, but we will not be able to link it to the flapping of the wings of a butterfly thousands of kilometers away, whose chain reaction led to the storm (chaos theory). This introduces uncertainty in our readings/ knowledge. Thus, we are incapable of getting full knowledge to meet our desired result. This is the essence of the dictum “karmanyevaadhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana” – you have control over your actions, but not over the outcome of such actions, because there always is uncertainty about other factors that do influence the outcome. This; and not Heisenberg’s formulation of quantum mechanics as modified by Ozawa and others, is the real Uncertainty Principle. The equations to measure uncertainty are really meaningless.

Because of the uncertainty, self-determination or freewill is severely restricted. It has limited choices or degrees of freedom. If there is any God or ITs equivalent; by definition; IT is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent. Being ITs creations; we also have these qualities, but due to our limitations, these exhibit themselves differently. ITs Omnipresence (Chit shakti), which implies eternity, is our time (kaala). ITs Omniscience (Gnyaana Shakti), which implies total knowledge, is our limited knowledge (Vidyaa-Avidyaa). ITs Omnipotence (Kriyaa Shakti), which implies capability to do everything, is our limited capability for action (kalaa). IT gets whatever IT desires (Icchhaa shakti). This manifests in us as desire (raaga). Pursuit of desire is infatuation (anuraaga).

Differences in desire that induces freewill for action; are based on three factors:    1) physical or genetic composition that has its own predetermined chemical properties,  2)sensory experiences of the past and the memory associated with it that lead to infatuation (anuraaga) or its corollaries or opposite emotions, and 3) limited disturbance to the ratio (both intra and inter) of fixed evolutionary and functional evolutionary components of the body (depravity or affluence). These lead to diversity of response to the same situation. Diversity is a property of groups, which has many dimensions across the social spectrum. Susceptibility to external conditions or emotions is an example of diversity of genetic composition. This can be changed by chemistry, but unless one is careful, this can be dangerous. Oxytocin, a nine–amino acid peptide – is instrumental in monogamous behavior of prairie voles known to pick a lifelong mate. Later studies demonstrated that the chemical contributes to trust and social interactions in various animals, including humans, though it has not been studies enough for its effect on humans. However, oxytocin and a related molecule called vasopressin are known to promote various types of social behavior. It can intensify negative memory of social experience and increase aggression and violence towards persons who are not part of the same social group.

Happiness or fear or hate or ignorance upon seeing someone or something is an example of diversity of past experiences. Disturbance to the ratio of fixed evolutionary and functional evolutionary components of the body (atiyoga or mithyaa yoga) in various proportions (kalaa) is sickness - both physical (including material) and mental. Aided by time evolution (parinaama) and conflicting emotions (pragnyaaparaadha), this creates the feeling of uneasiness. Economic depravity can be shattering. Mental disorder, substance dependence, and engaging in economic survival strategies explain destitute behavior among homeless women and homeless or jobless men. Rape and theft are outcomes of depravity. Affluence can be of different types: related to money, physical strength, authority, indulgence, etc. It leads to a tendency of lording over everything and lack of proper value system. A few people waste more food than the world’s hungry needs.

Limited knowledge makes humans curious creatures. Curiosity drives a search for explanations. While this search may fit in the realm of science, it is not confined to the pursuits of scientists and intellectuals alone. People have strong and systematic preferences for some types of explanations over others. For example, people prefer explanations that provide a function or purpose, which, psychologists call “teleological explanations.” In many cases, we are more attracted to teleological explanations than to “mechanistic” alternatives, such as explaining something by examining the process. Sometimes we may believe that not everything has a purpose. Also, if we over-explain, it may lead to false beliefs; such as conspiracy theories. It is based on some truth content, but diverges to explain different data points by appeal to a group or entity, trying to make sense of everything in unified way. Sometimes the data points are coincidental, or come up by chance. Besides accuracy - having explanations that fit the data - we also consider simplicity and breadth of an explanation. People often prefer teleology and ensure that explanations cohere with our prior beliefs and generate a sense of understanding. But many things are multi-causal, requiring complex explanations. This creates diversity.

Can education help? Talent is inborn, though skill can be learnt and developed. Conveying science to lay people often involves the translation of complex terms into simpler ones, the use of metaphors, and the removal of some details. In the process, some important information may be lost. People sometimes seem to value complicated explanations more. One study showed that when completely irrelevant mathematics is added to the abstract of a scientific paper, non-experts judge the work as better. In another study, adding irrelevant neuroscientific information to psychological explanations made non-experts less effective at differentiating circular reasoning from non-circular explanations. Sometimes, we mistake the name of a phenomenon for an explanation of the event. There is a famous example from a play by Moliere: “Why do some pills make you sleepy?” Answer: “Because they have a dormitive virtue”. This does not actually explain anything, but introducing a concept such as ‘dormitive virtue’ might make one feel superior. Karl C Pauper calls it the “cult of incomprehensibility”. Many people do not know much about quarks or leptons, but believe that these terms play a useful explanatory role in contemporary physics, and that there are experts who do understand them. The reason for such behavior is lack of self confidence and a sense of control over one’s environment. Whenever they could not understand something, they believe in the superiority of the other who claims to know about it. Changing people’s sense of control can influence the kinds of scientific explanations they prefer: if one feels that one does not have control, she/he will be drawn to explanations that promise order and predictability (moorkham chhandonuvrhttena – control a fool by twisting facts).

CONCLUSION:

            As has been shown above, freewill is actually not free – it has limited degrees of freedom. Self organization follows a pattern –radiating away (arka) from the central processing unit (high concentration or uktha) up to the confining limit (asiti). Since the central processing unit in humans is brain, the flow is downwards. Hence damage to brain kills or cripples humans. The central processing unit in plants is the root joint – hence the flow is upwards and damage to it kills plants. Our emotions are based on genetic imprint and past experiences. If we could map it properly, the chain of differential inertia can explain all behavior – the so-called freewill or choice. For example, anger is the sense of failure to control ones own surroundings. We become angry without properly analyzing the causes leading to the present situation. Hence the trick to control an angry person is to remind him of his past achievements (atyugram stutibhih). Ayurveda lists out the impulsive inertia (vega) that should be controlled and that for other natural feelings like the urge for urination, defacation, etc, not to be controlled. Similarly, attachment (experience of feeling good in the past - shraddhaa) towards someone considered superior is devotion (bhakti), towards someone inferior is affection (vaatsalya), towards equals is friendship (sakhya or maitry) and towards inert objects (including money, intoxicants, female/male body, etc) is lust (kaama). When these four emotions combine for the same object, it is love (rati). Love can be only between husband-wife and God-human. All others are lust.

Like non-living bodies, living organisms also obey mechanical laws of nature and act according to external forces to fulfill their needs, though, it is not self evident (paroksha priyaa hi Devaah Pratyaksha dwishah). All organisms - living or not - follow laws of nature. However, only living organisms can perceive through their sensory agencies when these impulses are reflected in the Conscious Self that illuminates every thing and is the repository of all knowledge (results of measurement) and processes. Since knowledge, i.e., result of measurement for any instant, is frozen for ever, Consciousness is universal, immutable, eternal, unmoving and timeless; thus, is the universal and ubiquitous foundation of life – it is the Observer of everything that are observables.

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