Saturday, May 4, 2013

Metaphysics and Cosmology

In the process of filming and editing "The Principle", I have tried to present the two great world views which Christendom and the post-Enlightenment world have presented us, concerning cosmology and cosmogony.

The first is the world view of antiquity, of Plato and Aristotle, and, also, of Genesis.

The second is the world view of consensus cosmology, the "Big Bang" in its present form (so-called "lambda cold dark matter" or "LCDM").

The first places Earth at a very special position in the cosmos- indeed, according to Genesis, Earth is the first object created, and the cosmos is "stretched out" from Earth.

The second places Earth in an insignificant position, as in Carl Sagan's famous quote:

Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.

For a very long time, the scientific model of reality has gone from strength to strength, from triumph to triumph, on the basis of reported confirmations of the so-called "Copernican/cosmological Principle".

But a deeper investigation of these triumphs reveals a very interesting- even disturbing!- fact.

The Copernican Principle is a philosophical/metaphysical, not a scientific concept.

Please, click on the supplied definition link above, and soak in the implications:

In later years with Freud, man lost his Godlike mind; with Darwin his exalted place among the creatures of the Earth; with Copernicus man had lost his privileged position in the Universe.
The lesson learned by future scientists is that if a theory requires a special origin or viewpoint, then it is not plausible

These are not scientific assertions. Not a one of them.

These are metaphysical assertions.

Man "lost his Godlike mind"?

No.

Man's mind did not change in any way at all.

Our metaphysical view concerning that mind changed.

Man lost his exalted place among the creatures of the Earth?

No.

Man's place among the creatures of the Earth did not change in any way at all.

Our metaphysical view concerning that place changed.

Man lost his privileged position in the cosmos?

Well.

Therein lies a tale, and a very powerful and important one.

Of course whatever position we had in the universe before Copernicus, is exactly the same position we had in the universe after Copernicus.

The question is: is it a privileged position?

According to the remarkable observations obtained by our most recent, large-scale surveys of the universe, it apparently is.

But there is one final assertion above, which represents the truly disturbing aspects of the Copernican metaphysical world view, as it has come to be expressed in consensus, Big Bang, LCDM cosmology:

"The lesson learned by future scientists is that if a theory requires a special origin or viewpoint, then it is not plausible."

Now stop and think about that one for a moment, if you please.

What we have here is a metaphysical assumption about reality, imposing itself upon all attempts to explain scientific observations.

The metaphysical assumption is:

"We're nothing special".

The imposition consists in the frank and brutal warning to all the young scientists who might be wondering about this question:

"if a theory requires a special origin or viewpoint, then it is not plausible."

In other words, we are told that any theory which might be able to account for observations, but which would result in a violation of the Copernican Principle, will be dismissed, a priori, as "not plausible".

So.

Are we better oriented toward truth, by the assumption that we are special, privileged observers of this magnificent universe?

Or are we better oriented toward truth, by the assumption that we're insignificant in comparison to this magnificent universe?

"The Principle" is the most important movie you will see this year.

Look for it in theaters this autumn.



11 comments:

  1. Rick,

    Although, I have not seen all your posts on your blogsite, I suspect this is one of your very best. You seem to have a real knack for getting to the very core of things with a laser like focus which at the same time you are able to make understandable to a good many folks who are yearning for the truth. God bless you in your continuing efforts to inform the public. Can't wait for that space flick!

    James

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  2. The interface, if you will, between the things presented in "The Principle" and some of the items listed here should be interesting!
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsolved_problems_in_physics

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  3. Hi, I am from Australia.
    Please find some references which provide an Illuminated Understanding of what we are as human beings, and thus by extension Reality as an Indivisible Unity Altogether.

    There is Only Consciousness and Light which is the Energy of Consciousness
    www.consciousnessitself.org

    The Structure of Light Itself - or an essay which deconstructs/outshines all of the usual presumptions about the nature of Reality
    www.dabase.org/Reality_Itself_Is_Not_In_The_Middle.htm

    The Three Great Principles
    www.dabase.org/up-1-7.htm

    Space-Time IS Love-Bliss
    http://spiralledlight.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/4068

    The Divine Physics of Evolution
    www.aboutadidam.org/readings/the_divine_physics_of_evolution/index.html

    Adam & Eve in the Garden of Indestructible Light & The Rose Garden of the Heart
    www.beezone.com/adidajesus/adamnervoussystemeveflesh.html
    http://global.adidam.org/books/hridaya-rosary.html

    On the DOUBT mind that misinforms our entire culture, including all of those who presume to be religious - with NO exceptions
    www.beezone.com/AdiDa/nirvanasara/chapter1.html
    www.adidam.org/teaching/gnosticon/universal-scientism.aspx

    The Secret Identity of the Holy Spirit of God
    www.aboutadidam.org/articles/secret_identity

    On Transcending the power-and-control-seeking Insubordinate Mind
    www.beezone.com/AdiDa/Aletheon/ontranscendingtheinsubordinatemind.html
    www.beezone.com/AdiDa/jesusandme.html

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    Replies
    1. Frederick, I went through a new age phase too. Keep searching, you will get past it.

      You cannot be right with God by your own Indestructible light Consciousness.

      You are a sinner.

      You need Jesus.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for this really amazing post Rick. I'm saving it for my files and no doubt will make reference to it a good deal in the future. It is quite profound and as I said in my other reply goes right to the core/heart of the matter.

    When I read the description of the Copernican Principle at the link you have provided I contacted who I thought was the best person to reply to your comments at the U. of Oregon since the URL for the link originates with that institution. The man I contacted by email was a Dr. James M. Schombert. He can be seen at the following pages among others: http://pages.uoregon.edu/gensci/advise.html , http://physics.uoregon.edu/faculty/schombert.html , and http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/ . His science credentials appear fairly impressive.

    Without giving Rick's name or where Rick's comments about the description of the Copernican Principle came from I told him that I had adopted the comments and asked if he would comment on them. Rather amazingly, I received an answer from him less than 3 hours later which I quote verbatim here in its entirety:

    James -

    We use the Copernican Principle to illustrate how, historically, we came to overcome supernatural ideas of the cosmos.

    The view that the Universe has no special places, or positions, is
    embodied in the cosmological principle, the statement that the
    Universe is homogenous and isotropic. Therefore, it is a mathematical truth that the Universe has no center or edge, not a matter of philosophy.

    J
    ****************************************************************************
    Obviously, there is much I could send to him as a reply, but I wanted to be careful to send him one which was straightforward, powerful, and hopefully provocative yet polite/respectful enough to engage him in sending me a counter-reply. With that in mind I am hereby soliciting a suggested response from Rick or anyone else who might care to offer one. Thanks very much for your consideration.

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  5. I just found a great link to send to Dr. Schombert: http://www.catholicintl.com/index.php/component/content/article/59-geocentrism/1184--2013-planck-data-reveals-universe-is-non-copernican

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  6. @James:

    "The view that the Universe has no special places, or positions, is
    embodied in the cosmological principle, the statement that the
    Universe is homogenous and isotropic. Therefore, it is a mathematical truth that the Universe has no center or edge, not a matter of philosophy."

    >> "Therefore"????????????

    Ummmm.

    If this is an example of the kind of "logic" to which your correspondent typically has resort, James, then all I can say is "WOW".

    There is not the slightest logical connection between the assertions:

    1. "The view that the Universe has no special places, or positions, is
    embodied in the cosmological principle, the statement that the
    Universe is homogenous and isotropic."

    and

    2. "Therefore, it is a mathematical truth that the Universe has no center or edge, not a matter of philosophy."

    Again.

    The above statements have no ogical connection whatever.

    The author of the above excerpt has not the slightest grasp of even basic logic.

    He ought to be ashamed of himself, if he draws a paycheck involving educating students.

    The students would have solid grounds for a lawsuit seeking recovery of damages for false advertising, if the author of the above blunder is actually alleging himself to be an educator.

    Disgraceful.

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  7. Thanks for your comments Rick.

    As you know from seeing my exchange of communications with Dr. Schombert, what he stated above, as inane as it is, is indeed what he said!

    As you could further observe from seeing my follow-up communications with Dr. Schombert, he really went from bad to worse -- a lot worse. He clearly indicated that Dr. Robert Sungenis was "doing the work of Satan" and when I called him on this he wrote back and directed his words to me personally: "enjoy your path to Hell." At that point, I decided that any further reasoning with him would be futile so I sent him a respectful farewell note.

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  8. It is established that your correspondent is as confused theologically, as he is philosophically.

    Mathematical truths apply to mathematical objects.

    The statement "the universe is isotropic and homogenous is a mathematical truth" is such a stupendous blunder that one can only pity the students subjected to the tender ministrations of such a clod.

    It is said that "those who can, do. Those who can't, teach".

    In this case we must ask what happens to those who can't teach.



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  9. Schombert says:

    "We use the Copernican Principle to illustrate how, historically, we came to overcome supernatural ideas of the cosmos."

    What an extremely telling statement!?

    "supernatural ideas of the cosmos." clearly meaning, God created the heavens and the Earth.

    This idea has been "overcome". It has been replaced by modern "science".

    "Science" for most "scientists", and followers of the religion of scientism, these days equate "science" (theoretical physics) to maths.

    Maths is "science" and "science" is maths.

    This is why opponents to geocentrism always scream MATHS!!!!! Gimme MATHS!!!!

    They don't realise that maths is simply one way to represent a THEORY.

    This is where Schombert's eternal goof comes from when he says:

    "it is a mathematical truth that the Universe has no center or edge, not a matter of philosophy"

    He is confusing "mathematical truth" with "long held/popular theory"

    Rick said "Mathematical truths apply to mathematical objects."

    The post scientific world has lost the ability to recognize the simple truth of this statement my friend.

    Mathematical truths now apply to any theories that overcome supernatural ideas of the cosmos.

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  10. This was highly educational! Bravo to all the participants that defended sound reason and the natural evidences of creation.

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