"Man is the measure of all things, of things that are that they are,
And of things that are not that they are not."
– Protagoras
A physical law or scientific law, according to the Oxford dictionary, is defined as a "theoretical principle deduced from particular facts, applicable to a defined group or class of phenomena, and expressible by the statement that a particular phenomenon always occurs if certain conditions be present." Physical laws typically are conclusions based on repeated scientific observations and/or experiments over many years and which have become accepted universally within the scientific community. Furthermore, a principle is described as a fundamental fact or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or chain of reasoning. Although facts can be as changeable as relative truths, some are as absolute and as unchanging as the laws of the universe itself. Where civilizations have risen and fallen, certain conclusion that we draw have remained the same throughout the ages. They are universal. The philosophical equivalence of cosmic constants. However, most of them are presumably bound to our domain in the space-time continuum, which means that the majority of them cease once we reach its lateral end.
From the very first moment mankind began to ponder the nature of the universe, we embarked on a journey of scientific discovery that would endure... For thousands of years, generation after generation, knowledge was imparted to form our present-day understanding of reality.
Our story begins 600 BCE in ancient Greece, where Thales of Miletus polished a piece of amber with fur, as his hand was struck by a small electrostatic charge. A new theoretical form of energy, which he theorized was emitted from the amber itself, would serve as a cornerstone for the future discovery of electricity. (He wasn't wrong though, the usage of crystals in ancient technology is well documented in our hidden history.) As magnetism was originally mistaken for static electricity, Thales became convinced that the properties of nature directly arise from physical processes. However, it was not until 460 B.C. that the existence of atomic particles was considered by Democritus. Due to the unfortunate fact that Aristotle dismissed the concept, which led to the stagnation of its development, the finer structures of matter were not investigated for over 2000 years.
In 1800, the British chemist, John Dalton, would prove beyond doubt that matter is comprised of elementary particles through many of his experiments. As he concluded, evaporated water forms an independent gas in the air, he began to theorize that matter may be comprised of indivisible and indestructible atoms. This led Dalton to postulate, atoms of the same element may possess identical properties, whereas atoms of different elements might vary in weight and chemical properties.
After much research, he discovered, atoms of different elements are combined in the process of producing compounds in various forms. Upon decomposition of these compounds, atoms could be salvaged without any signs of degeneration or renewal. No new atoms were created and no old atoms had been destroyed.
Although Aristotle may not have acknowledged the existence of atomic particles, he perceived that light travels in a manner similar to the waves in the sea. In 1803, British physicist Thomas Young put both notions to the test. He devised a contraption that would perplex and fuel scientific exploration for more than 200 years to come: The Double Slit Experiment. Young cut two slits into a screen behind which he placed a monochromatic light. If light was comprised of particles, it would behave differently than waves, vice versa. For example, if light is a wave, it would pass through the slit and diffract, whereas, as a particle, only a few waves would pass through. It should be noted that the experiment can be replicated with a single slit with the same effect. In his effort to discern whether light is comprised of waves or particles, he empirically evidenced that matter exists in a state of flux, in which it simultaneously exhibits the properties of a particle and a wave.
{Dependent upon the observer, light changes its composition
to be perceived either as a wave or a particle.}
As a phenomenon, this particle-wave duality, set the foundation for the introduction of probabilistic thought in quantum mechanical research. On a microscopic level, the particle-wave duality offered only a superficial view of the phenomenological world, until it became an integral aspect of quantum theory. Upon observation, an electron may look like a particle, it may act like a particle, but as soon as you turn your gaze, it reverts back to being a wave. What this tells us is that the mere act of observation alters the very sub-atomic structure of reality.
We often underestimate the effect that the observer has on that which they observe... Let us take into consideration the brilliant example of the paradox that Schrödinger's cat presents. Schrödinger proposed that if we manage to get a cat into a box and successfully confine it, we cannot know for certain whether the cat is dead or alive, until we open the box. Therefore, the cat can be thought of as dead and alive at the same time. Hypothetically, he is completely right. However, from a practical viewpoint, the box would begin to smell sooner or later, perhaps after much miaowing and some clawing sounds. If it does not, then it would most likely be an air-tight or even sound-proof container, which leaves the cat under 40 seconds, before full asphyxiation sets in and death occurs. Awareness, and thereby observation is the cornerstone of action.
Schrödinger attempted to convey that in moments of uncertainty, when the outcome of a situation is limited to two (or more) options, both probabilities co-exist simultaneously in thought, until the outcome is known.
In consideration of the multi-verse paradigm,
the cat can be thought of as alive in one universe
and dead in its parallel counterpart.
Physicist Fred Alan Wolf conducted a similar thought experiment that is still spurring new theories to this day. He posed the question, whether every time he flips a coin into the air, a parallel universe would emerge, in which the opposite side of the coin won. (i.e. the coin lands heads up in one universe and tails up in its counterpart) He theorized that reality literally splits, manifesting both outcomes in separate universes.
To return to the original example, from the moment we place a cat in a box or a sequence of events begins with only two or more outcomes, no power in the universe can prevent the unfolding of circumstances. The dice must fall, in accordance with the progression of external events. Our own intervention, involvement and commitment, including that of others, aids in the determination of the likely endgame, but "the map is not the territory" (Korzybski, 1938).
In other words, our interpretation or representation of an object, subject and/or concept is not "that" in itself. Additionally, the model of reality, we construct, should not be confused with reality itself. The world is not as we perceive it, and for as long as that is the case, the future remains an enigma.
When we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, it is all too easy to lose sight of what our fine-tuned touch for discerning an outcome is signaling. More often than not, because we don't want to confront the cold, hard truth of a situation. We cannot look beyond the unfolding of events, when we do not comprehend the reason behind them. More importantly, as long as we cannot understand their cause, we may not grasp their effects, where they may lead or what that may entail.
The uncertainty experienced before the aftermath of any unfavorable outcome is temporary. By confronting the problems at hand, feelings of uncertainty can be shortened. However, patience and timing are of the essence to achieve any specific results, particularly without attachment to them. That notwithstanding, it has to be mentioned, in extreme cases, uncertainty can be prolonged unnecessarily outside of one's control for an undetermined timespan. This uncertainty can last for an entire lifetime. It may fester depression, guilt, suicidal or homicidal thoughts etc. We may even die not knowing, but inevitably we must draw comfort from the knowledge that one out of a finite number of probabilities has to solidify...until no probabilities solidify any longer.
To sum up, the present moment is created from a subtle level of reality, in which probabilities co-exist... From the finite levels of existence, where our choices are limited by the nature of cause & effect, to the infinite, where the cause becomes the effect (and vice versa).
Metaphorically speaking, the cat has to be either dead or alive,
But it is prior to both in the grand scheme of the cosmos.
As far as life-altering paradoxes go, the observer effect poses a strikingly paradoxical enigma that engulfs the whole of the universe. While we may observe without interference, our mere presence alters the outcome of any event. Moreover, our perception, emotional processing and memory formation are all influenced by the course of events and its final outcome (by variant degrees due to our interference or non-interference).
Although there is a clear line that separates the observer from that which they observe. The closer the observer is to the observed, the more this distinct line fades. Until on a sub-atomic level, the visible separation between waves and/or particles is non-existent. Information is transferred instantaneously without consideration for distance, time or location.
Space-Time becomes non-local and non-temporal,
Particles revert back to a massless state...
Only photons pre-date the conversion of the universe.
The spark of kinetic energy that triggered the Big-Bang.
The wider-reaching implications of such findings are that everything in the universe forms an interrelated whole, which we are all a unique part of prior to the passage of time. In essence, the multi-verse can be compared to a giant web of interconnected cogwheels that flow together in flawless unison.
On a microscopic scale, the observer and the observed are not only deeply interlinked, they are one. On a macroscopic scale, this connection between the observer and the external world remains, they are both still a part of a singular whole, originating from the same source. They are still the same on variant levels, whether they are consciously aware of this or not.
On a universal scale, although every action has its root causes & effects, propelling yet another action in a super-massive chain reaction, all is one...
In other words, the inherent awareness of the observer and the observed pre-dates the Big Bang. It existed prior to the beginning and after the end of space-time. As the total sum of energy in the universe remains constant... Energy, including consciousness, is neither created nor destroyed, it is merely transformed from one form to another. This leads us to the conclusion that the potent