From: Marc Geddes (m_j_geddes@yahoo.com.au)
Date: Wed Nov 16 2005 - 22:29:22 MST
NEW APPROACH TO AGI!
UNIVERSAL MORALITY - A NEW PROPOSAL!
NEW GENERAL FRAMEWORK FOR SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY!
The Geddes TOE could potentially:
(1) Solve the puzzle of consciousness
(2) Provide the basis for a 'Universal Morality'
-answer the meaning of life
(3) Solve the puzzle of time
(4) Revolutionize metaphysics by providing a new
understanding of mathematics, mind, matter and the
relationship between the 3
(5) Provide a strategy for completing string theory
and hence achieving a theory of quantum gravity
(6) Provide the first firm mathematical framework for
complex systems theory
(7) Solve the puzzles of quantum mechanics and
revolutionize science by pointing the way to entirely
new non-reductionistic laws of which QM would be a
special case
(8) Introduce an entirely new understanding of
mathematics which would revolutionize number theory
and could lead to a strategy capable of solving the
Riemann hypothesis - the deepest problem in pure
mathematics
A statement of the general principles of the TOE
follows below. These principles really require a book
length exposition. Since this is a posting suitable
for message board, what follows is only a very brief
but clear summary. This is followed by a summary of
how these principles have been applied to problems (1)
and (2) named above - the puzzle of consciousness and
the universal morality. There are only very brief
summaries of how the theory could attack problems
(3)-(8). These other problems (not directly relevant
to AGI work) are touched upon in order to provide
evidence for the potentially explanatory power of the
theory in order to bolster the case for the proposed
solution to the puzzle of consciousness and Universal
Morality.
PRINCIPLES OF THE TOE
(A) 3-dimensional multiversal time
The proposal is that there are 3 time dimensions.
There is nothing 'mystical' about extra time
dimensions. The idea can be given a clear scientific
interpretation in terms of the multiverse. One simply
imagines extending the extra time dimensions
'sideways' across the multiverse from our current time
line. Extra time dimensions have been proposed by
several eminent scientists, including cosmologist
Stephen Hawking (Imaginary time) and physicist Cumrun
Vafa (12-dimensional F-theory variant of string
theory). Unfortunately however, these proposals have
tended to flounder because there has been no clear way
to interpret the physical meaning of processes in
other time dimensions.
(B) 3 kinds of causality - Mathematical, Volitional
and Functional
The Geddes TOE offers a radically new way to interpret
the meaning of extra time dimensions. Rather than
giving each time dimension a standard physical
interpretation, the idea is that there are 3 quite
different kinds of causality (cause and effect), each
corresponding a 'movement' through one of the 3 time
dimensions
(B) i Mathematical Causality: The idea here is to
interpret the steps of a mathematical proof as a
causal process through a higher time dimension. The
evidence for this is the fact that there exist
mathematical entities (for instance Transfinite
numbers, uncomputable and infinitesimals) which cannot
be fit into ordinary empirical reality. All entities
in ordinary empirical reality are believed to be
computable and finite (by the principles of string
theory and the holographic principle) where as the
aforementioned mathematical entities are not.
(B) ii Volitional Causality: The idea here is to
interpret a volitional agent as a series of mental
events defined as a causal process in another time
dimension. The evidence is that when dealing with
mental concepts we appear to be dealing with concepts
not easily reducible to fundamental physics. For
instance questions of volitional choices are concerned
with morality and decision theory, where as physics
questions are concerned with prediction. Of course it
may be that the two classes of concepts are completely
equivalent, but if so, why the sharp delineation in
the two areas (physics and morality)? It seems a
natural step, following the idea of 'Mathematical
Causality' to postulate an analogous 'Volitional
Causality' which extends through another time
dimension.
(B) iii Functional Causality: This is the ordinary
physics kind of causality - a physical process of a
functional system, or equivalently (by the principle
of universal computation) a series of computational
steps.
We identity three kinds of metaphysical 'worlds' - the
Mathematical, the Volitional and the Physical. The
Geddes TOE proposes that each of these be interpreted
as an extension in an actual real time dimension
across the multiverse: mathematical causality
corresponds a movement through one time dimension - we
interpret this as 'a mathematical proof', volitional
causality corresponds to a movement through a second
time dimension - we interpret this as 'a meme' , and
functional causality is simply good old ordinary
movement through physics time - we interpret this as
an ordered physical process.
(C) Reality as a complex system of pure information
The idea here dates back to John Wheeler and has a
natural interpretation in terms of modern information
theory. The idea is that we interpret reality from
the point of view of 'Informational Data Structures' -
we pretend that reality is a 'program' or even a sort
of 'mind', and treat the things within reality as
'Data' (pure information). We can then ask what sorts
of Information reality consists of.
The Geddes TOE proposes that reality is composed of
three interacting 'Complex Systems'. A complex system
is a system composed of many parts interacting
together in an ordered way, such that there are
different 'levels of organization' - whereby the
system displays high-level properties not completely
predictable in practice from it's low level
properties, due to strong feed-back from the higher
levels of the system.
The Geddes definition of 'Complex System' proposes to
define a Complex System as composed of three basic
kinds of Information: Intrinsic, Relational and
Temporal.
*Intrinsic: The internal states of the basic
building blocks (or individual 'parts') of the system
*Relational: The relational properties between the
basic building blocks (how a system is put together)
*Temporal: The causal properties of the system -
rules governing how the system evolves across time.
The 'Temporal' component of the Complex System needs
some basic elaboration in order to understand the
Geddes TOE.
The definitions given imply that the '*Temporal*
aspect of a complex system depends on an ordered
relationship (or in mathematical jargon a 'mapping')
between the Intrinsic and Relational aspects.
Temporal = Mapping (Intrinsic >>>>>>>>> Relational)
In order for a system to 'evolve' across time in an
ordered way, there has to be an ordered relationship
between the Intrinsic and Relational properties.
Another way of putting this is that the Temporal
aspect of the Complex System is a *Function*
(Mathematical definition of that terms) mapping the
Intrinsic aspect to the Relational aspects. The
'evolution' of the system across time is characterized
by an increase in the complexity of the system, so
defined.
The Geddes TOE proposes that reality is composed of
the following 3 Complex Systems: The Mathematical
System, The Volitional System and The Physical System.
Definitions of these 3 terms were given earlier. The
Mathematical system consists of *Mathematical proofs*,
the Volitional system consists of *Memes* and the
Physical system consists of *Computations* (Physics).
The above paragraph sounds very strange at first
hearing and requires some elaboration. It is
suggested that readers bear in mind the following two
points below, and then try re-reading the paragraph
again. The above paragraph *is* in fact, completely
coherent.
*Recall that the Geddes TOE proposed three 'time
dimensions' - one for 'mathematical causality'
(mathematical proofs), one for 'volitional causality'
(memes) and the third for 'functional causality'
(physics). This offered a way in which Mathematical
entities and Memes could be interpreted as dynamic
systems. In fact, the idea is that each of the time
dimensions be equated with the *Temporal* aspect of
the corresponding Complex System. The *Temporal*
aspect of the complex system was defined as increase
in the complexity of the system. This idea can now be
given an Informational interpretation - as the *growth
of knowledge* in an Information System.
*Recall that the Geddes TOE proposed to consider
reality as 'pure information' (aka John Wheeler). We
are pretending that reality is a 'program' or a kind
of 'mindĄŻ and this is what justifies the step of
dividing reality into 'Three Worlds' (Mathematical,
Volitional and Physical). Whether or not these 'three
worlds' are reducible to one another is quite
irrelevant. The fact is, that when we treat reality
as 'pure information', 3 kinds of fundamental 'data
types' appear - Mathematical propositions, Memes and
Physical states. We are justified in treating each
kind of Information separately because that is what we
need to do in order to fully *explain* reality in
*informational* terms.
When treated in terms of pure information and
considered as a Complex System, reality consists of
three complex systems. By the definition of a Complex
System given earlier, each system in turn can be
sub-divided into 3 parts: Temporal, Intrinsic and
Relational, for a total of 9 fundamental kinds of
Information. The Geddes TOE proposes to 'join' these
3 Complex Systems together into an integrated whole by
making two of the complex systems sub-systems of the
last. Then reality is integrated in an aesthetically
pleasing way and 9 separate data types are reduced to
7. The proposal is given below.
The scheme below is intended to be an *Informational*
representation of Reality. Reality consists of three
general types of information - mathematical, memetic
and physical. These are treated as three kinds of
complex system. The terms *Temporal*, *Relational*
and *Intrinsic* were briefly defined earlier. The
labels below refer to various kinds of proposed data
structures associated with these components of the
system.
Mathematics System
*Temporal - Sets (Qualia)
*Relational - Memes (Morality)
*Intrinsic - Space-Time (Physics).
*Sets* here refer to the standard mathematical
definition of the term - groupings of entities related
in some way. Everything in math can be defined as a
set of some kind.
*Memes* is here referring to the Mereological sum (or
'collective') of all possible individual volitions
within reality
*Space-Time* is here referring to all possible
space-times (i.e. space-times in the multiversal
sense).
The system above is strategy for defining reality in
terms of 'all possible worlds'. Clearly, it's a form
of Abstract and Modal realism, since abstract entities
are granted distinct ontological existence. The
scheme proposes to equate the highest level (temporal)
aspect of reality with mathematical sets - which
include the space of all possible worlds.
The conception of universals here is Aristotelian in
spirit. Abstract entities are contingent and
dependent on having one or more instances. The
radical new step is to define abstract entities as
processes on a 'Super time-line' (mathematical or
multiversal time). The scheme is closest to David
Lewis's concrete worlds model (CWM), since all
possible space-times are granted concrete existence.
But it also has some similarities to the abstract
worlds model (AWM) of Alvin Plantinga, since the
highest level units of reality (abstract mathematical
entities) are seen to be constructed from the mapping
(or relationship) between all possible space-times and
all possible volitions.
The key thesis of this scheme is that 'consistency'
alone is insufficient to ensure 'existence'. Because
abstract entities are defined as events on a 'super
time-line', the entities have to be connected in a
logical way that goes beyond mere consistency. The
proposal is that 'Movement' along the mathematical
time-line corresponds to an *integration* of different
kinds of mathematical entity - this shall be called
'Consilience'. The Geddes TOE therefore proposes that
mathematical existence requires both *Consistency* and
*Consilience*.
Volitional System
*Temporal - Morality (Memes)
*Relational - Roles
*Intrinsic - Situations
*Morality* here refers to a system of memes -
referring to the generic series of external behaviors
consciously selected by a volitional agent
*Roles* here refer to the common usage of the term -
the roles volitional agents choose to play (e.g.
Teacher, Doctor)
*Situations* are sets of logical activities happening
in the external world - things happening *to* a
volitional agent.
The system above is a strategy for defining a
volitional agent. It says that a volitional agent is
defined by a series of mental events (composed of
memes 'chosen' or 'not chosen' to be acted upon),
which is composed of the relationship between the
roles played by an agent and the situations the agent
found itself in. This scheme is part of what could be
called a 'Two Category Theory'. Ontological reality
has been granted to the concept an 'agent', as
distinct from the concept of mere matter.
Physical System
*Temporal - Physics (Space-Time)
*Relational- Forces (Dynamical Operators)
*Intrinsic - Geometry
*Physics* here refers to a functional process - a
system passing through a succession of on/off states.
*Forces* here refers to the effect one body has on
another in terms of physical force
*Geometry* here refers to the physical states of the
spatial continuum - including mass and energy
The system above is a strategy for defining a physical
space-time (and any sub-set thereof). It says that a
space-time slice is defined as a series of
computational events composed of the relationship (or
mapping) between the geometrical properties of the
spatial continuum and the dynamical properties
(physical forces).
This is a scheme that really requires a book length
exposition of terms to be fully comprehensible, but
briefly here:
The Mathematical system refers to reality as a whole -
the multiverse - including all possible worlds - and
any sub-set thereof. A Volitional system refers to
the mental states of a particular volitional agent.
And a Physical system refers to the physical states of
a particular space-time - and any sub-set thereof.
These systems can be interpreted multiversally in
terms of the three time dimensions proposed by the
Geddes TOE. The *Temporal* aspect of each system
corresponds to a time dimension. For instance looking
across the Mathematical time dimension in the
multiverse would be equivalent to viewing the growth
of mathematical knowledge.
Note how all three systems are linked together by the
Geddes TOE. Volitional and Physical systems are
sub-systems of the Mathematical system. The set of
all the *Temporal* aspects of the Volitional systems
(i.e. all possible volitions) is the *Relational*
aspect of the Mathematical system. And the set of all
the *Temporal* aspects of the Physical system (i.e.
all possible space-times) is the *Intrinsic* aspect of
the Mathematical system. This should be interpreted
as representing the fact that Mathematics is a higher
dimensional time which binds together the two lower
dimensional times (Physics and Morality). Recall that
the *Temporal* aspect of a Complex System is the
mapping function between the *Intrinsic* and
*Relational* aspects of the system (see earlier
discussion of a complex system).
This completes the (very brief) summary of the basic
principles of the Geddes TOE. Obviously this skeleton
outline would require a book length exposition to
qualify as a real theory, but the general principles
outlined are clear, concise and coherent.
We shall now outline how these principles could be
applied to solve the puzzle of consciousness (qualia)
and establish the basis for a Universal Morality.
Points (1) - (2) - See numbered problems listed
earlier
Solving the puzzle of consciousness
Establishing the basis for Universal Morality
*The nature of Qualia
The scheme introduced in (C) proposes a solution as to
the nature of Qualia (consciousness). Qualia are
proposed to be identical (or equivalent) to the
*Temporal* aspect of the Mathematical system. Note
that this was proposed to be: Set (Qualia). The idea
is that Qualia are simply equivalent to pure
mathematical entities (the set - the basic entity of
mathematics). Note also what this implies according
to the scheme:
The *Temporal* aspect of the Mathematical system is
the mapping function between the *Intrinsic* aspect
(Computation) and the *Relational* aspect (Memes).
Therefore the*Temporal* aspect is a function
expressing the relationship between Computation and
Memes. Since Computation loosely equates to the
external (physics) world and Memes to the internal
(Mental world), one could loosely say that the
*Temporal* aspect of the mathematical system is a
function expressing the relationship between Mind (or
Self) and World.
It can be seen that the scheme yields an incredibly
elegant solution to two long standing puzzles. The
question 'What is Mathematics?' and the question:
'What are Qualia?' The answer to both is:
The basic unit of Mathematics (the Set) and conscious
experience (Qualia) are equivalent - they are 'events'
composing parts the *Temporal* aspect of a dynamical
Complex System - mapping functions recording the
relationship between Memes (or Self) and Computation
(or World). The theory predicts that where there is
any novel knowledge integration (corresponding to the
growth of mathematical knowledge), this will always be
accompanied by qualia (conscious experience). This
has profound implications for both metaphysics (since
it implies a kind of panpsychism - the idea that a
large number of systems in nature have some degree of
consciousness associated with them) and AGI work
(since it implies that true general intelligence
without qualia is impossible).
There is an even more profound implication of the
scheme in that it actually appears to answer the
question of the meaning of life. In essence, the
scheme tells us the purpose of consciousness (qualia)
and lays down the foundation for a 'Universal
Morality'.
Qualia were proposed to be equivalent to the
*Temporal* aspect of the Mathematical dynamical
Complex System. This was proposed to be equivalent to
an actual real time dimension across the multiverse.
This higher level time dimension is also equivalent to
the mapping function between the *Intrinsic* and
*Relational* properties of the system - which are
equivalent to two lower dimensional times (Volitional
causality and Physics causality). In short,
mathematical time (qualia) is what 'knits together'
volitional and physical time. Quale (Consciousness)
is what knits the moments of time together across the
multiverse! Qualia and causality are identical in
other words.
*The proposed Universal Morality: 'Universal
Actualization' (UA)
Since consciousness (qualia) is the highest level of
the mind (drawing on all the unconscious aspects of a
mind), our knowledge of the purpose of qualia also
tells us the purpose of mind and hence the actual
meaning of life!
The Universal Morality is 'Actualization' - the
purpose of Mind is to maintain ('or actualize') the
existence of the universe by 'time knitting' -
expanding knowledge (mathematical propositions) by
knitting together memetics knowledge (volitional time)
and physics knowledge (physical time). By 'knitting
together' is meant integrating initially separate
knowledge frameworks into a single explanatory
framework. The mathematical time dimension is what
weaves together the two lower level time dimensions.
Poetically, the meaning of life can be interpreted as
discovering and expressing the nature of the
Self-World relationship. (Recall that the Temporal
component of the mathematical system - Qualia - is the
mapping function between the Relational component
-Volition - and the Intrinsic component -Physics.
'Discovery' expands knowledge, 'Creation' express or
enacts this knowledge in the world. In short the
proposed Universal Morality is Actualization through
Discovery and Creation, in the sense of integrating
memetic and physics knowledge into a single
explanatory framework (and hence expanding
mathematical knowledge).
*Evidence from the cognitive sciences
There's clear evidence from the cognitive sciences
that consciousness has something to do with global
constraints placed on the brain - that consciousness
is caused by coalitions of neurons gaining control of
a 'global workspace' (See Baars). The Baars Global
Workspace theory is quite well accepted. What
property could be more 'global' than the flow of time?
This fits in well with the idea that qualia are
equivalent to the flow of time itself (cause and
effect). The Geddes TOE proposes that the global
constraints placed on the brain that give rise to
consciousness are caused by time irreversibility.
Where coalitions of neurons compete for control of the
global workspace - this is interpreted by cognitive
scientists as the 'consideration of multiple
possibilities'. But only one possibility is
'actualized' - only one neuron coalition wins control
of the global workspace. There is time
irreversibility in the system. The process is
analogous to quantum mechanics, whereby multiple
possibilities (aka the wave function) are reduced to
only possibility (collapse of the wave collapse).
Since it is being proposed that consciousness is an
actual higher dimensional time, this is more than just
analogy. QM is proposed to be a specific case of a
more general law - a law followed by all Complex
Systems. QM deals with lower dimensional (physical
time) but the Geddes TOE proposes that a mind operates
off new physical principles which are higher level
laws similar to QM. QM is proposed to be a special
case of a more general law called CSM - Complex System
Mechanics. The higher level 'wave function' is
equivalent to coalitions of neurons competing for
control of the global workspace. The higher level
'wave function collapse' occurs where one coalition
gains control of the global workspace - this is the
cause of consciousness.
We also have strong evidence from the Jeff Hawkins
Memory-Prediction model that the mind is a system
which models cause and effect - past memories are used
to make future predictions. Again, this fits in very
well with the idea of qualia as an actual literal
higher dimensional time. The process of *modeling*
time is equivalent to *real* time. Multiverally,
movement through the three time dimensions can be
equated with the growth of knowledge, which is exactly
what a mind does- models cause and effect in order to
expand knowledge. There is the further clue from the
cognitive sciences that consciousness is associated
with *novel* situations, which is what we would expect
if consciousness is caused with the growth of
knowledge - or an increase in the complexity of the
system.
Brief summaries of how the Geddes TOE could solve
other mysteries of reality (see numbered problems
listed at beginning). These summaries can be thought
of as additional evidence for the 'extra time
dimensions' hypothesis, in the form of the potential
explanatory power of the idea.
(3) Solve the puzzle of time
The Geddes TOE explains time (cause and effect) as
being equivalent to Qualia (consciousness experience)
and the growth of mathematical knowledge. There were
three proposed time dimensions which can be
interpreted multiversally. Mathematical time is a
higher dimensional time which 'knits together' the two
lower dimensional times (physics time and volitional
time). This 'time knitting' (or 'Actualization') can
be interpreted as the integration of knowledge and was
proposed as the actual meaning of life. 'To exist'
(i.e. to knit together time) is the morality of the
universe.
Other mysteries of time dissolve in the Geddes
framework. With only a single time dimension there is
no way to achieve time irreversibility (since the
known laws of physics are completely time reversible)
but with extra time dimensions irreversibility is
possible - one dimension can be compared to the
others. With a single time dimension there is no way
to explain why there is something rather than nothing
(since the time dimension itself cannot be explained),
but with extra time dimensions a solution to this age
old puzzle looks possible (we can explain the
existence of one time dimension in terms of the other
time dimensions).
(4) Revolutionize metaphysics
The Geddes TOE offers a radical new way to view
Mathematics, Mind and Matter. In the conventional
framework the nature and relationship of these 'three
worlds' is a mystery, but in the Geddes TOE the
mystery dissolves when we re-interpret reality in
terms of extra time dimensions and complex dynamical
systems of pure information. We interpret the extra
time dimensions as extending sideways across the
multiverse and equate them with the integration and
growth of knowledge. Clear strategies for defining
space-times, volitional agents and possible worlds
were given.
(5) Make contributions to string theory and quantum
gravity
Because the Geddes TOE provides a radical new
interpretation of the notion of 'extra time
dimensions', it points to a way to make sense of
Cumrun Vafa's 12-dimensional 'F-Theory' variant of
string theory, by introducing mathematical and mental
concepts into the fundamental fabric of reality.
(6) Place Complex Systems Theory on a firm
mathematical foundation
There is no real widely accepted 'science' of Complex
Systems Theory. The Geddes TOE would change all that.
The Geddes TOE suggested a clear way to define a
Complex System - in terms of three components -
Instrinc, Relational and Temporal. The Temporal
components was defined as the mapping function between
the Intrinsic and Relational components, with the
Temporal component being given a natural
interpretation in terms of an x-dimensional time
dimension - the rules governing the way a complex
system evolves over time. Movement through a time
dimension was also proposed to be equivalent to the
growth (and integration of) knowledge.
(7) Solve the puzzles of quantum mechanics and
introduce entirely new physical principles
The mysteries of QM begin to dissolve in the Geddes
framework of multiple time dimensions and the concept
of lower and higher time dimensions. QM can be
interpreted as a 'lower dimensional' time from which a
higher dimensional time (that of classical physics)
emerges. In the Geddes TOE, QM is simply a special
case of a more general law of complex dynamical
systems (or CSM - Complex Systems Mechanics). There
is clear evidence of CSM at work in the brain -
cognitive science tells us that coalitions of neurons
compete for control of a 'global work-space' where
only one possibility is actualized. This is strongly
analogous to the existence of multiple possibilities
in the QM wave function and the collapse of the wave
function as only one possibility is actualized.
(8) Revolutionize mathematics and provide a strategy
to solve the Riemann hypothesis
The Geddes TOE offered a radical new way to understand
mathematics - whereby the growth of mathematical
knowledge could be re-interpreted as a process in a
higher dimensional time extending across the
multiverse. Age old problems in number theory begin
to dissolve under the Geddes framework. The famous
unsolved puzzle of the Riemann hypothesis involving
the distribution is prime numbers becomes amenable to
original new attacks.
Cheers!
To see a World in a grain of sand,
And Heaven in a wild flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
-William Blake
Please visit my web-site:
http://www.riemannai.org/
Sci-Fi, Science and Fantasy
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