The Chessboard of Being. Between Necessity and Freedom, a Holistic Vision of the Universe

Abstract

In this work, we present a vision of the universe as an eternal chessboard, where physical, chemical, and biological laws function as immutable rules, yet within this structured framework an almost infinite ludic freedom emerges. By integrating the philosophies of Parmenides and Heraclitus with the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, we propose a holistic model of reality-one that is simultaneously regulated and unpredictable, ordered and free. The chessboard metaphor serves as a bridge between determinism and indeterminacy, demonstrating how the apparent tension between order and chaos dissolves into a cyclical, self-renewing structure of existence. This perspective challenges the conventional notion of a cosmic beginning or end, rejecting "nothingness" and "creation" as linguistic artifacts rather than ontological realities. Just as each chess game unfolds uniquely within a fixed set of rules, so too does the universe continuously reshuffle its fundamental elements in ways that, while constrained by necessity, remain boundlessly unpredictable. The vast combinatorial possibilities described by Shannon's number in chess-far exceeding the number of atoms in the observable universe-serve as a compelling analogy for the infinite potential configurations of Being. By reframing reality through this lens, this work offers a fresh philosophical, cosmological and metaphysical perspective, inviting deeper reflection on the fundamental nature of existence.

Analytics

Added to PP
2025-01-31

Downloads
39 (#103,380)

6 months
39 (#99,842)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?