Integral Science

This latest contribution in many ways entails a summary of the points that I have made in recent blog entries and in discussion with Anthony Judge in relation to “Transforming the Art of Conversation - conversing as the transformative science of development” at his hugely impressive “Laetus in Praesens” site. I have been long fascinated by the fact that the two binary digits (1 and 0) when used in a quantitative manner can potentially encode all information processes. I am therefore of the opinion that the same two digits when used in an appropriate qualitative manner can likewise potentially encode all transformation processes. So transformation itself (in all its manifestations) is basically encoded in number when appreciated in a qualitative manner. Now as geometrical symbols, 1 can be identified with the straight line and 0 with a circular circumference. So the relationship of 1 and 0 in qualitative terms implies the relationship between (rational) linear and (intuitive)

I have always felt a special affinity to Taoism where the basic nature of reality is explained in a manner that readily lends itself to holistic mathematical understanding. So the Tao represents the ineffable undivided unity (which equally is a nothingness in phenomenal terms). Then phenomenal reality arises from the splitting of this unity into polar opposites that are understood as separate from each other. However a deeper understanding of the nature of these opposites leads to the realisation that they are complementary (and ultimately identical in nondual terms) as yin and yang. So it is this latter realisation that enables the process of harmonising phenomenal reality with the original absolute nature of Tao. Last night I was briefly reading the section on Taoism in that wonderful little book on "Mysticism" by F.C. Happold. There, I saw the seeds of an even closer relationship in its thought to my recent notions expressed in these blogs on the all important role o

We have to be careful here. It is very hard in practice to distinguish numbers from the symbols used for their representation. And the very nature of such representation is that we thereby give a distinct phenomenal identity to number (as represented by its symbol). So when I use the symbol "1" to represent the notion of one, it thereby assumes this phenomenal identity. Furthermore, because understanding of number in our culture is dominated by its quantitative aspect, numbers thereby become misleadingly identified as abstract phenomenal objects (with an absolute identity). However in truth the meaning of number is much more elusive. As I have been at pains to illustrate, every number has both a qualitative as well as recognised quantitative aspect. Basically, the quantitative aspect relates to the notion of number as independent (i.e. where phenomenal poles such as external and internal are separated). The corresponding qualitative aspect relates to the correspond

We are already well aware of the great significance of number from the conventional quantitative perspective. However what we have not yet recognised yet is the equal significance of number from the greatly neglected qualitative dimensional perspective. And when we combine these two aspects of number in interactive terms, then it is but a short leap to the recognition that - at its most fundamental - phenomenal reality is but the dynamic representation of number configurations (in both quantitative and qualitative terms). Now a widespread view in contemporary physics is that reality is fundamentally composed of tiny 1-dimensional strings, the unique vibrations of which give rise to all the particles from which more conventional material forms are composed. However the notion of "physical strings" in any meaningful philosophical sense is but a fiction arising from the reductionist quantitative viewpoint that matter must ultimately be composed of smaller constituent par

We now come back to highlighting the significance of the prime numbers. Just as the prime numbers are recognised in quantitative terms as the building blocks of the natural number system, likewise the prime numbers - though conventionally unrecognised - are equally the building blocks in qualitative terms of the natural number system. What this again implies is that all numbers (as dimensions) are built up from prime number constituents. Then, as the number dimensions directly relate to the dimensions of space and time (physically and psychologically) these likewise are built from prime numbers (in qualitative terms). Furthermore, as the qualitative characteristics that are inherent in natural phenomena are but manifestations of such space and time configurations, the prime numbers can then be clearly seen - in literal terms - as the fundamental basis of all qualitative characteristics in nature. Thus, looked at from these two distinct perspectives (in isolation) the prime

We now come back to highlighting the significance of the prime numbers. Just as the prime numbers are recognised in quantitative terms as the building blocks of the natural number system, likewise the prime numbers - though conventionally unrecognised - are equally the building blocks in qualitative terms of the natural number system. What this again implies is that all numbers (as dimensions) are built up from prime number constituents. Then, as the number dimensions directly relate to the dimensions of space and time (physically and psychologically) these likewise are built from prime numbers (in qualitative terms). Furthermore, as the qualitative characteristics that are inherent in natural phenomena are but manifestations of such space and time configurations, the prime numbers can then be clearly seen - in literal terms - as the fundamental basis of all qualitative characteristics in nature. Thus, looked at from these two distinct perspectives (in isolation) the prime

Yesterday, I briefly attempted to explain the qualitative significance of the Euler Identity which essentially represents a holistic mathematical description of the precise nature of spiritual transformation where emptiness and form (and form and emptiness) are united. Here the contemplative journey - literally - comes full circle with the transcendent goal (beyond all phenomenal form) finally revealed as identical with its immanent source (as already inherent within such form). Last week I was looking at a fascinating programme on the mapping of the Universe. We are of course accustomed to the mapping of planet Earth and to a lesser extent our planetary system. But ambitious attempts have already been made to provide a map of the entire Milky Way galaxy. And even beyond that considerable progress has been made with respect to the mapping of the visible universe (made up of countless billions of galaxies). Even some are already attempting to know what lies beyond the visible univers

Yesterday we considered how number (as qualitative dimension) can be given an imaginary (as well as real) meaning and that this thereby also applies to time (and space) in both physical and psychological terms. Basically what this entails is that development can take two complementary directions that are transcendent and immanent with respect to each other. Therefore if we associate real numbers (as dimensions) with the transcendent aspect, then the corresponding imaginary numbers are then - relatively - associated with the immanent aspect. Though all these numbers (as dimensions) are implicit in actual human experience, remarkably little progress has yet been made with respect to any coherent explicit appreciation. And as I have stated repeatedly the conventional paradigm of Science and Mathematics as we know is merely of a 1-dimensional nature (in qualitative terms). Now, when appropriately interpreted, the other dimensional numbers do unfold in varying degrees through the pr