More on Time
This is the latest in a series of entries on time. I've distilled these into an article - click on the 'On Time' link on the right.
Previously I discussed the idea of 4-dimensional 'shapes' built up from a series of 3-dimensional snapshots. When we deal with 2-dimensions we refer to patterns, shapes, figures, diagrams etc. With 3-dimensions we refer to objects, forms, or solids (as in the Platonic solids). For our purposes I will call 4-dimensional forms 'torms' (Time-forms).When we view patterns or objects we tend to discern common patterns. We may say it's 'sort of circular' or 'cube like'. In the same way there are common patterns with torms. We may observe cycles or events that follow each other (what we call cause and effect) though many of these cycles may not have an obvious cause and effect. We may find our lives go through periods of wealth and periods of relative poverty, periods of health and periods where we always seem ill etc. Astrological cycles don't fit into a cause and effect model which is why scientists dismiss astrology, but in reality these are simply torms.
Cause and effect forms the basis of scientific thinking. It has led us to develop much of the technology that we have and has given us a huge understanding of the mechanical working of the world and I am not proposing that we throw out this way of thinking.
When we think in terms of cause and effect we have a mental picture. This picture is like a filmstrip with each event leading to the next. Such pictures serve a purpose but once people form a picture they can extremely reluctant to let it go. Rather than being a tool the picture beguiles us into believing that the picture is the reality. For example, most people are familiar with the picture of the planets orbiting the sun. Generally, these show the planets on a sort-of relative scale and sometimes have their paths shown as a coloured line. This is a representation that bears very little resemblance to reality. Were you able to travel far enough out to be able to see all the planets lined up they would be tiny specks, indistinguishable from their surroundings. Certainly you would get no idea of the scale of the planets or their orbits. The picture is very useful, but it is not reality. By the same token, the construction of an atom is shown in a similar way. Electrons orbit a nucleus, which is made up of protons and neutrons and they follow particular paths. This picture is useful in certain situations. For example it enables us to explain concepts such as valency and atomic weight. It falls down completely when dealing with quantum physics. In this case a different picture is required.
The same applies to the cause and effect picture. It is very useful for describing certain attributes but falls down when we need to explain others. Scientists, however, are so beguiled by their picture that if something doesn't fit their picture then, as far as they are concerned, it doesn't exist.
