Three decades after Chalmers named it, the ‘hard problem’ remains. I suggest a parsimonious solution. Biological dynamic systems interact according to simple rules (while the environment provides simple constraints) and thus self-organize to become a new, more complex dynamic system at the next level. This spiral repeats several times generating a hierarchy of levels. A leap to the next level is frequently creative and surprising. From ants, themselves self-organized according to physical/chemical laws, may emerge an ant (...) colony self-organized according to eusocial laws. A dynamic system need not be material. A living language (immaterial) is a complex adaptive system. Body/brain are material but the next level of complexity, a psychological dynamic system, a thought, feeling, image or ideal, is less material. From several psychological dynamic systems emerges the next level, narrative (immaterial), and from multiple narratives emerges personality. Concrete evidence explains how an early narrative emerges from body-and-brain. Evidence also shows that personality emerges from narrative. Even an objective narrative captures subjectivity since the teller’s choice of content is subjective. I argue that the ‘stream-of-consciousness’ story (movie) you are currently telling yourself (watching) is your conscious experience, ‘what it is like’ for you to be conscious. Adriana Cavarero’s arguments support this. Each level of a hierarchy of dynamic systems must necessarily be homeostatic, at that level. McDowell et al. (2023: submitted, in revision) reported evidence that a dream (a narrative) supports personality homeostatically. Perhaps the evolutionary advantage of conscious experience, also a narrative, has always been that it too supports personality homeostatically. Personality and body/brain, a chimera of symbiotic life-forms, constitute interactionist duality. (shrink)

Panpsychism and the Universal Law of Balance in Nature: A Unified Framework for Consciousness -/- By: Angelito Enriquez Malicse -/- Introduction -/- The nature of consciousness has been one of the most profound mysteries in philosophy and science. The mind-body problem has led to competing theories: dualism, which sees the mind and body as separate substances, and materialism, which views consciousness as a byproduct of brain activity. However, both views struggle to fully explain subjective experience. -/- A third perspective, panpsychism, (...) suggests that consciousness is not limited to complex brains but is instead a fundamental and universal property of reality. This aligns with my Universal Law of Balance in Nature, which states that all systems—including consciousness—follow natural laws of equilibrium. If consciousness is a fundamental aspect of existence, then it must also be governed by the same balancing principles that structure the physical world. -/- This essay explores how panpsychism, dualism, materialism, and the Universal Law of Balance in Nature intersect, offering a new way to understand consciousness, free will, and the nature of intelligence. -/- 1. The Mind-Body Problem: Dualism vs. Materialism -/- The mind-body problem has led to two dominant philosophical views: -/- 1. Dualism (Descartes) – The mind and body are fundamentally different substances. The mind (or soul) is immaterial, while the body is purely physical. -/- 2. Materialism – Consciousness is not a separate substance but rather an emergent property of physical processes in the brain. -/- The Limits of Dualism -/- Dualism struggles to explain how an immaterial mind can interact with a physical body. If the mind is separate from the brain, then how does it influence bodily actions? This issue, known as the interaction problem, remains unresolved. -/- Moreover, dualism raises scientific concerns: if the mind is non-physical, then how can it be studied, measured, or tested? This makes it difficult to integrate into neuroscience. -/- The Limits of Materialism -/- Materialism, on the other hand, argues that all mental states are reducible to brain activity. While this successfully explains cognition, perception, and neural processes, it does not fully account for: -/- The Hard Problem of Consciousness (David Chalmers): Why do physical brain processes produce subjective experiences? -/- Qualia: The personal, first-person experience of perception (e.g., the redness of red). -/- If consciousness were purely physical, it should be possible to explain subjective experience through objective science—but materialism has failed to do so. -/- 3. How Panpsychism and the Universal Law of Balance Resolve These Issues -/- Panpsychism provides a solution by proposing that consciousness is neither separate from matter (dualism) nor merely a byproduct of the brain (materialism), but rather an intrinsic property of all matter. -/- This aligns with my Universal Law of Balance in Nature, which states that everything in existence—including consciousness—operates according to natural laws of equilibrium. -/- Instead of seeing the mind as a supernatural entity (dualism) or a mere illusion (materialism), panpsychism suggests that all physical systems contain some form of consciousness in balance with their environment. -/- Consciousness does not “emerge” from complexity but is already present at fundamental levels of reality, organizing itself into higher structures through natural equilibrium. -/- Example: The Brain as a Self-Balancing System -/- In neuroscience, the brain maintains homeostasis, regulating neurotransmitters, electrical activity, and perception in a balanced way. -/- If fundamental particles also possess consciousness, they too may follow a self-regulating principle, which my universal law of balance describes. -/- This means that consciousness scales up from micro-level awareness to complex human thought through structured balance. -/- 4. The Feedback Mechanism of Conscious Minds -/- One of the key insights from my universal law of balance is that individual conscious minds act as feedback mechanisms, influencing and shaping one another through interaction. This aligns with panpsychism’s notion that consciousness exists at all levels and is interconnected. -/- Panpsychism suggests that even at a fundamental level, consciousness interacts in ways that shape larger systems of awareness. -/- The Universal Law of Balance states that conscious beings, from individuals to societies, exist within a dynamic system of equilibrium, adjusting their decisions and behaviors in response to external and internal stimuli. -/- This means that human consciousness is not an isolated phenomenon but a complex expression of a larger network of conscious interactions seeking balance. -/- 5. The Problem of Free Will and Consciousness -/- One of the greatest philosophical challenges is the problem of free will—do humans truly make independent choices, or are all decisions determined by prior causes? -/- Materialism often leads to determinism, the idea that all human actions are entirely governed by physical laws, leaving no room for free will. -/- Dualism suggests that free will originates from an immaterial soul but fails to explain how it interacts with the body. -/- Panpsychism, combined with my Universal Law of Balance, provides an alternative: free will is neither purely deterministic nor supernatural but instead follows a balancing process between different conscious forces. -/- From this perspective, free will is not about escaping cause and effect but about aligning decisions with the natural balancing mechanisms of consciousness and the environment. -/- 6. The Combination Problem and Holistic Balance -/- A major challenge in panpsychism is the Combination Problem—if simple particles have basic consciousness, how do they combine to create complex subjective experiences like human thought? -/- The universal Law of Balance in Nature offers a potential solution: consciousness, like all other systems, organizes itself through natural equilibrium. -/- Just as physical systems self-organize (e.g., atoms forming molecules, ecosystems maintaining biodiversity), -/- Consciousness at different levels must also self-organize into stable configurations. -/- This suggests that individual conscious experiences do not merely “combine” randomly but follow a structured process of integration governed by natural balance. -/- Example: The human brain is a network of billions of neurons, yet its conscious experience is unified. This could be because consciousness follows a structured balance, where micro-level awareness stabilizes into higher-order intelligence. -/- 7. Implications for AI and the Future of Consciousness -/- If panpsychism is true, and if consciousness follows the universal law of balance, then artificial intelligence (AI) might one day develop consciousness—but only if it aligns with natural balancing principles. -/- Current AI systems lack true awareness because they do not self-regulate in a homeostatic way like living systems. -/- For AI to develop consciousness, it would need a balancing mechanism similar to the human brain, where its inputs and outputs form an adaptive feedback system. -/- This also raises ethical questions: -/- If AI achieves consciousness through balance, should it have the same moral considerations as humans? -/- If everything is conscious to some degree, what responsibilities do humans have toward animals, nature, and even machines? -/- Conclusion -/- Panpsychism and the Universal Law of Balance in Nature offer a compelling framework for understanding consciousness. By integrating ideas from dualism, materialism, and panpsychism, we can see that consciousness is neither separate from nature nor reducible to material processes alone. Instead, it follows a universal principle of balance, shaping both individual minds and collective intelligence. -/- Rather than being separate from nature, consciousness is nature—expressing itself through an unbroken law of balance that governs all existence. -/- . (shrink)

Human linguistic phenomenon is at one and the same time an individual, social, and political fact. As such, its study should bear in mind these complex interrelations, which are produced inside the framework of the sociocultural and historical ecosystem of each human community. Understanding this phenomenon is often no easy task, due to the range of elements involved and their interrelations. The absence of valid, clearly developed paradigms adds to the problem and means that the theoretical conclusions that emerge may (...) be unclear on certain points. It is true that in the last fifty years sociolinguistic studies have advanced considerably, and today we have access to an impressive set of data and a wide variety of theoretical reflections. But as a discipline sociolinguistics does not yet have unified, powerful theoretical models able to account rigorously and clearly for the phenomena it studies. Sociolinguistic studies are today a diverse set of contributions in which certain and theoretical schools and lines of research emerged; but as is to be expected in a relatively new field, there is not enough communication between the various schools and they cannot yet be said to be integrated in terms of their conceptual and theoretical postulates. Against this background, our work aims to contribute to the overall, integrated understanding of the processes of language contact. Via an interdisciplinary, eclectic approach, it also aims to aid the theoretical grounding and integration of a unified, common sociolinguistic paradigm. Our strategy will not be merely to combine the contributions from ongoing research lines, but to address the question from a more global viewpoint which, together with the more innovative contemporary scientific disciplines, permits a harmonious integration of the various sociolinguistic perspectives in a broad, deep and unitary approach to the reality. The materials used to construct this unified approach are taken from many sources: Theoretical physics, ecology, the philosophy of science and mind, anthropology, phenomenological and process sociology, cognitive sciences, political science, pragmatics, history, systems theory, approaches to complexity and obviously sociolinguistics, are all involved in a dialogue in this desire for integration. (shrink)

Check out the new version, keeping this to time stamp. -/- Chiral Dynamics of Emergent Systems (CODES) that proposes that all emergent phenomena, such as language, RNA, DNA, consciousness, arise from the dynamic interplay between chaos and order, governed by chirality, or directionally asymmetry. By integrating this chiral relationship into a mathematical framework, CODES provides a unifying mechanism that explains how complex systems evolve and self-organize over time. It resolves Wittgenstein's language games, by situating them through a broader, (...) adaptive system driven by the balance of stability and creativity. Through this interdisciplinary approach, CODES bridges gaps between philosophy, biology, linguistics, and evolution of structured yet adaptive systems. (shrink)

The Human System and the Universal Law of Balance: A Foundation for a Stable Society -/- By Angelito Malicse -/- Introduction -/- Every human being is a complete system, constantly interacting with other complete systems. This interconnected nature of human existence suggests that personal experience, decision-making, and societal structures are not random but governed by natural laws—specifically, the universal law of balance. By understanding this, we can address major societal problems by ensuring that individual and collective actions maintain (...) equilibrium rather than create instability. This essay explores how recognizing humans as complete systems interacting within a larger framework can provide solutions for governance, education, and societal harmony. -/- Humans as Self-Regulating Systems -/- Each human functions as an autonomous yet interdependent system. Like biological homeostasis, where the body maintains internal stability despite external changes, individuals regulate their thoughts, emotions, and actions in response to their environment. However, this regulation is not isolated—every person’s decisions and behaviors influence others, creating a dynamic feedback loop of cause and effect. -/- In this framework, free will is not absolute but operates within constraints set by the universal law of balance. People make choices based on personal needs, external conditions, and social influences. When decisions align with nature’s balance, they contribute to stability. When they violate this balance—due to ignorance, misinformation, or unchecked desires—problems arise, both individually and collectively. -/- Interconnectedness and Societal Stability -/- Since every person is a complete system interacting with others, society itself functions as a larger system composed of these individual systems. Social structures—such as governments, economies, and cultures—emerge from these interactions and must also maintain balance. When individuals or groups act against this equilibrium, social problems arise. -/- For example, economic inequality can be seen as an imbalance where resources are distributed in a way that destabilizes the system. Environmental destruction results from ignoring the balance between human consumption and nature’s regenerative capacity. Political conflicts emerge when leadership decisions disrupt the natural equilibrium of power and governance. These problems do not exist in isolation; they are symptoms of an underlying imbalance in the human system. -/- Recognizing this interconnectedness is crucial for solving these issues. Instead of treating problems as separate crises, we must address the root cause—misalignment with the universal law of balance. This requires a shift in how we approach governance, education, and decision-making. -/- Education as a Tool for Systemic Balance -/- To create a stable society, individuals must be taught how their decisions contribute to or disrupt the balance of the system. Education should not merely focus on acquiring knowledge but on understanding how personal and collective choices influence the world. A holistic educational system should integrate: -/- 1. Critical Thinking – Teaching individuals to analyze and assess the consequences of their actions within the broader system. -/- 2. Ethical Decision-Making – Emphasizing responsibility in maintaining balance in personal and societal interactions. -/- 3. Systems Thinking – Understanding how different aspects of life—economy, environment, politics—are interconnected. -/- 4. Scientific and Philosophical Awareness – Bridging material and conceptual knowledge to provide a balanced understanding of reality. -/- By educating individuals in this way, we empower them to act in harmony with the universal law of balance, reducing societal instability. -/- Leadership and Governance Based on Balance -/- Leaders and policymakers must also recognize that they are part of this interconnected system. Decisions made at the highest levels influence the equilibrium of the entire society. Policies that prioritize short-term gains over long-term balance create instability, while those that align with natural equilibrium foster sustainability and justice. -/- A governance model based on balance would: -/- Ensure fair distribution of resources to prevent extreme economic disparities. -/- Implement environmental policies that respect the balance between human needs and nature’s limits. -/- Foster international relations based on mutual cooperation rather than conflict and competition. -/- Promote education and leadership training centered on maintaining societal equilibrium. -/- By integrating the principle of balance into leadership, we can create policies that address the root causes of instability rather than merely reacting to crises. -/- Conclusion -/- Humans are not isolated beings but complete systems interacting within a larger network. Recognizing this interconnectedness is key to solving major societal problems. When individuals and leaders understand that their decisions must align with the universal law of balance, they can contribute to stability rather than disruption. -/- By applying this understanding to education, governance, and daily decision-making, we can create a society that is more just, sustainable, and resilient. The key to a better world is not in isolated solutions but in a fundamental shift in perspective—one that sees all human actions as part of a larger, self-regulating system governed by the principles of balance. -/- . (shrink)

(This version was submitted to Behavioral and Brain Science. A revised version was published by Biological Theory) Estimates of autism’s incidence increased 5-10 fold in ten years, an increase which cannot be genetic. Though many mutations are associated with autism, no mutation seems directly to cause autism. We need to find the direct cause. Complexity science provides a new paradigm - confirmed in biology by extensive hard data. Both the body and the personality are complex dynamic systems which spontaneously (...) self-organize from simple dynamic systems. Autism may therefore be caused by the failure of a simple dynamic system. We know that infants who cannot track their mother’s face often become autistic, that eye-contact initiates intersubjectivity which is blocked in autism, and that the infant-mother pair seems designed to promote eye-contact, as does the eye’s appearance. This author earlier proposed that failure of eye-contact might directly cause autism and that early non-maternal childcare, including television/video, would therefore be statistically linked to autism. Waldman et al. (2008; 2006) recently proved that autism is strongly linked to precipitation (indoor activity) and to the introduction of cable. The most plausible explanation? Early exposure to television/video is linked to autism. Furthermore a normal developmental cascade (blocked in autism) has been deciphered: (a) Infant-mother eye-contact triggers increased maternal attention. (b) Early maternal attention permanently increases not only baseline vasopressin but also that oxytocin release which is triggered by subsequent maternal attention. (c) Vasopressin and oxytocin promote face recognition, gazing-at-the-eyes, emotion recognition, and social bonding. The eye-contact hypothesis suggests a clinical study addressing prevention: recruit prospective parents who agree to curtail television/video/computer/wi-fi in their families; measure autism’s incidence in their children. (shrink)

Efforts to bridge emotion theory with neurobiology can be facilitated by dynamic systems (DS) modeling. DS principles stipulate higher-order wholes emerging from lower-order constituents through bidirectional causal processes cognition relations. I then present a psychological model based on this reconceptualization, identifying trigger, self-amplification, and self-stabilization phases of emotion-appraisal states, leading to consolidating traits. The article goes on to describe neural structures and functions involved in appraisal and emotion, as well as DS mechanisms of integration by which they interact. (...) These mechanisms include nested feedback interactions, global effects of neuromodulation, vertical integration, action-monitoring, and synaptic plasticity, and they are modeled in terms of both functional integration and temporal synchronization. I end by elaborating the psychological model of emotion–appraisal states with reference to neural processes. (shrink)

ABSTRACT The individual-community relationship has always been one of the most fundamental topics of social sciences. In sociology, this is known as the micro-macro relationship while in economics it refers to the processes, through which, individual actions lead to macroeconomic phenomena. Based on philosophical discourse and systems theory, many sociologists even use the term "emergence" in their understanding of micro-macro relationship, which refers to collective phenomena that are created by the cooperation of individuals, but cannot be reduced to individual actions. (...) "Emergence" theories attempt to explain the nature of society as a complex system by examining how individuals and their relationships lead to the creation of integrated and macro-social phenomena such as markets, educational systems, cultural beliefs, and shared social practices. As a prelude to activity, every researcher has to answer the question from the methodological point of view, how is it possible to study the behavior of social groups and how can we gain knowledge about the laws related to social groups? Anyone who deals with humanities and social sciences or any reality and phenomenon that affects human beings, inevitably deals with the reality that is emerging. In fact, emergence occurs when one level of reality emerges radically from another level. Examples of emergent levels of reality include how the mind emerges from the body; or the way society emerges from human beings. Therefore, when there is an emerging factor, different scientific disciplines should be used, because it is inevitable to talk about social affairs, psychology and neurobiology, as well as physical and even chemical. -/- INTRODUCTION Since its beginning in the 19th century, sociology has faced the fundamental question of what a social phenomena stands for? At a glance, sociologists deal with the study of social groups, collective behavior, institutions, social structures, social networks, and social dynamics, and ultimately all such phenomena are composed of individuals. Therefore, social phenomena seem to have no independent ontological status, and in this case, sociology is ultimately about reducible individuals. Different approaches about the micro-macro relationship, using the concept of "emergence", argue that although collective phenomena are created by individuals, they cannot be reduced to individual action. The term "emergence" is used to distinguish "emergent results" from " Procedural results". Results are called Procedural that can only be calculated by adding or subtracting the causes that act together. On the contrary, they are emergent outcomes that are qualitatively novel compared to the causes from which they originate. An example of such emergent results is mental characteristics that emerge from neural processes, but are not considered among the characteristics of neural processes of components - which are their origin. Philosophical debates about emergentism and reductionism focus on the mind-brain relationship, but as many philosophers have noted, they can be generalized to apply to any hierarchical set of features. The cognitive revolution reactivated a 19th century controversy between theorists of Identity and dualism. The theorists of Identity believe in reductionist materialism and elimination of metaphysics, according to which the mind is nothing more than the biological, while the dualists believe that the mind and the brain are distinct from each other. Emergence has been considered as a third way between the theories of Identity and dualism. -/- METHODOLOGY Interdisciplinarity Is fundamentally indicated by the dominance of open systems as well as social and emerging systems at different levels. Therefore, as long as we are facing a new emergentism, there will necessarily be different fields and an interdisciplinary method. The commonality of social sciences and cognitive sciences on the issue of emergence provides the possibility of interaction and exchange of concepts between these two for deeper research. Therefore, in this research, apart from the concepts of Subvenience and downward causation, we have used multiple realization and wildly disjunctive, which are used to explain the emerging concept in cognitive sciences, including neurobiology, psychology, and philosophy. For analytical and interdisciplinary approaches, after examining the concepts of subvenience, and wildly disjunctive, Individualistic and collectivist emergentism have been reviewed. And then their adequacy is criticized and evaluated in meeting strong emergence conditions. -/- FINDINGS Philosophers of the mind have been able to define the conditions of irreducibility and downward causation, which are essential for strong emergence, by using the principle of subvenience with the help of multiple realization and wildly disjunctive principles. Therefore, by definition, emergentist individualism suffers from the problem of how to explain downward causality and irreducibility, and emergentist collectivism faces the challenge of reification. The analysis of the challenges facing the two methodological approaches of individualism and collectivism leads us to three unresolved issues about the emerging phenomenon, which are realism, downward causality, and mechanism. Despite the differences in the stances of these two approaches regarding the aforementioned triple problems, individualists and collectivists both agree that some social characteristics are reducible; and some others are irreducible due to their complexity, the determination of which, depends on the case study of the mechanism of emergence of each social characteristic. -/- CONCLUSION An emergence that is consistent with reductionism is called a weak emergence. And strong emergence includes the principle of irreducibility and downward causality. According to strong emergence, the characteristics of social phenomena have downward causal power, which cannot be reduced to the causal forces. The principle of subvenience, together with multiple realization and wildly disjunctive, can provide the conditions of irreducibility and downward causality, which are essential conditions of strong emergence. Based on the philosophical analysis of two methodological approaches, individualist and collectivist, it can be concluded that emergentist individualism suffers from the problem of how to explain downward causality and irreducibility, and reification collectivism faces the challenge of reification. The analysis of the problems faced by these two approaches leads us to three unresolved issues, which are realism, downward causality, and mechanism. individualist emergentists acknowledge the existence of emergent social characteristics, but despite this, they believe that these characteristics are not real but merely analytical constructs that require explanation based on individuals and their mutual actions. But collectivists argue that emergentism yields a categorical ontology and supports social realism. They accept the dependence of social characteristics on individuals, but claim that social entities and structures are ontologically independent. Individualists and collectivists both agree that some social characteristics are reducible; and others are irreducible due to their complexity; and the only way to recognize this is to engage in empirical studies of the mechanisms and temporal processes of "emergence" that create social characteristics. -/- NOVELTY The newness of this compact article is as follows: a) Presenting an interdisciplinary approach using the analysis of philosophy of cognitive sciences, including the philosophy of mind, neurobiology and psychology to formulate the issue of social emergence; b) Criticizing individualist and collectivist methodological approaches to the issue of social emergence and explaining the sufficiency and shortcomings of both in providing weak and strong emerging conditions; c) Explaining and categorizing the challenges facing methodological approaches in explaining the phenomenon of social emergence, in three categories: realism, downward causality, and mechanism. BIBLIOGRAPHY Beckermann, A., Flohr, H., & Kim, J. (eds.) (1992). Emergence or reduction? Essays on the prospects of nonreductive physicalism. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. Bhaskar, R. (1979). The possibility of Naturalism. New York: Routledge. Bhaskar, R., Danermark, B. & Price, L. (2018). Interdisciplinarity and wellbeing: A critical realist general theory of interdisciplinarity. London and New York: Routledge. Blau, P.M. (1981). Introduction: diverse views of social structure and their common denominator. In Blau, P.M. & Merton, R.K. (eds.), Continuity in Structural Inquiry (pp. 1–23). Beverly Hills: Sage. Blau, P.M. (1987). Microprocess and macrostructure. In K.S. Cook (ed.), Social Exchange Theory (pp. 83–100). Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Brooks, R.A., & Maes, P. (eds). (1994). Artificial life IV; proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on the Synthesis and Simulation of Living Systems. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. Clark, A. (1997). Being there: Putting brain, body, and world together again. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Coleman, J. S. (1987). Microfoundations and macrosocial behavior. In: J. C. Alexander, B. Giesen, R. Munch, & Neil J. Smelser (Eds.). The Micro-Macro Link (pp. 153–73). Berkeley: University of California. Coleman, J. S. (1990). Foundations of social theory. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Elster, J. (1985). Making sense of Marx. New York: Cambridge University Press. Fodor, J.A. (1974). Special sciences (Or: The disunity of science as a working hypothesis). Synthese, 28(2), 97–115. Fodor, J.A. (1989). Making mind matter more. Philosophical Topics, 17, 59-79. Giddens, A. (1984). The constitution of society: Outline of the theory of structuration. Berkeley: University of California Press. Hempel, C.G. (1965). Aspects of scientific explanation and other essays in the philosophy of science. New York: The Free Press. Horgan, T. (1993). 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Philosophy of the Social Sciences, 34, 260–282. Sawyer, R. K. (2005). Social emergence: societies as complex systems. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Sawyer, R.K. (2003). Nonreductive individualism: Part 2, Social causation. Philosophy of the Social Sciences, 33, 203–224. Winch, P. (1993). The idea of a social science and its relation to philosophy‭ (SAMT, Trans.). Tehran, Iran: SAMT. (shrink)

Abstract -/- This paper introduces CODES (Chirality of Dynamic Emergent Systems), a unifying theoretical framework that reconciles general relativity and quantum mechanics through structured resonance. By redefining fundamental assumptions about dark matter, dark energy, and singularities, CODES proposes a falsifiable, predictive model that aligns with observed cosmological structures while offering testable insights into emergent phenomena. -/- Key Contributions -/- • Resolution of General Relativity & Quantum Mechanics Paradox -/- CODES introduces structured intelligence fields that reconcile relativistic and quantum-scale physics (...) by incorporating oscillatory chiral dynamics. -/- • Reformulation of Dark Energy & Dark Matter -/- Instead of treating dark energy and dark matter as separate entities, CODES reinterprets them as emergent resonance effects, aligning with observed cosmic structure formation. -/- • Predictive Framework for Large-Scale Structures -/- The model explains periodic redshift distributions, baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), and gravitational field fluctuations in a mathematically consistent manner. -/- • Resonance-Driven Model of Cosmic Evolution -/- By replacing singularities with structured phase transitions, CODES provides an alternative to singular Big Bang models, proposing an oscillatory, non-singular origin of space-time and matter. -/- By integrating mathematics, quantum field theory, wavelet analysis, and cosmology, CODES challenges conventional paradigms and offers a structured resonance approach as an alternative explanatory framework. This model provides both theoretical coherence and experimental testability, making it a candidate for further empirical validation. -/- Version Note -/- V2 includes empirical test results from prime number distributions, fMRI patterns, DNA resonance, and large-scale galaxy clustering using continuous wavelet transforms (CWT). Structured wavelet analysis conducted with GPT-4o and Perplexity R1 further supports the model’s predictive capabilities. -/- Discussion & Next Steps -/- This work invites peer review, critique, and further empirical testing from researchers in physics, cosmology, AI, and applied mathematics. Future research will focus on refining the mathematical formalism and exploring experimental validation in wavelet-based cosmological mapping. (shrink)

Understanding the policymaking process in an emerging economy in the global south, such as Bangladesh, holds significant importance. The country's remarkable socio-economic development, once the most impoverished in the region, has been facilitated by post-globalization economic transformation. While the literature on institutional change has predominantly focused on states in industrialist countries, this dissertation presents an innovative theoretical approach. It deeply explores primary case materials to illustrate how the state engages in policy evolution in a developing country's gradual shift from (...) the import substitution model towards globalization and deregulation. The central argument posited is that Bangladesh's globalization, particularly through its private sector-led garment exports, stands as a significant success story. Bangladesh is now the world's second-largest garment exporter after China. This achievement is attributed to the entrepreneurial development it fosters and its role in driving socio-economic change. Moreover, it has enabled the mobilization of resources, reducing aid dependence, enhancing climate resilience, improving public health and wellbeing, empowering women, and addressing critical needs in physical infrastructure and human development. The argument presented here diverges from the conventional explanation found in the literature, which tends to emphasize the role of external forces, particularly institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and donors, in triggering policy reforms in Bangladesh. These reforms, commonly linked with structural adjustment packages implemented during the balance of payments crisis, are frequently perceived as predominantly influenced by external pressures. Additionally, the influence of the business class or Bangladeshi non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is often asserted. This dissertation proposes an alternative explanation by suggesting that ideational viewpoints within the state, specifically the ideas espoused by top technocrats and political executives, played a significant role. It argues that these internal ideational factors were more influential than materialistic ones, highlighting the causal role of the policy process driven by endogenous imperatives. The introduction of the dissertation addresses the research problem and research puzzle while suggesting conjectures after problematizing existing arguments. The significant economic transformation observed in Bangladesh today is portrayed as the outcome of a gradual process spanning several decades. The transition towards promoting the private sector and embracing globalization commenced in 1991, following a series of incremental changes dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. During these periods, the institutional path progressed towards empowering the private sector and embracing globalization, laying the groundwork for a trajectory led by the private sector in the context of globalization. The theory chapter serves to establish the conceptual and theoretical foundation for analyzing both economic change and transformation by examining the evolutionary nature of the process. The study adopts an institutional change framework, drawing on the theory of gradual change and focusing on concepts such as layering and tipping points. Within this framework, causal variables such as powering and puzzling, social learning, and ideas are identified. The methodological approach is grounded in historical institutionalism, employing the process-tracing "within case" method. The selection of cases deliberately targets an important yet under-researched area—the policy process in Bangladesh concerning the success of garment-led industrialization. This dissertation fills a noticeable gap in the literature through rigorous analysis, enabling an in-depth exploration of the institutional dynamics spanning four governments from 1972 to 1991. The study relies on substantial primary materials, including interviews with key officials. Each empirical chapter not only presents data but also connects the findings to conceptual and theoretical conjectures, underscoring the significant contributions of this research. The key causal variables identified include the concepts of ‘puzzling’ and ‘social learning’ within the state capacity framework, along with a narrowly defined and developed concept of a "policy committee." The learning process entails technocrats engaging in what Hugh Heclo and Peter Hall term as "social learning," where they play a crucial role in addressing policy challenges, particularly during times of uncertainty and political turmoil, based on their learning from past experiences. Additionally, the concept of ‘powering’ is highlighted, emphasizing that while technocrats provide policy recommendations, it is ultimately the political executive who endorses policies. The interplay between ‘puzzling and powering’ and ‘social learning’ shapes the outcomes of the policy process. The first empirical chapter focusing on the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Government (1972-1975) illustrates the emergence of policy learning during this period. Initially, this government pursued import substitution under strict government controls, with a predominant public sector. The historical context of exploitation under Pakistani rule and the centralization of industry by West Pakistan fostered socialism as an ideal for East Pakistan's economic emancipation. Additionally, close ties with India and the Soviet Union reinforced this socialist tendency. However, due to severe economic conditions resulting from stringent control on private investment and emphasis on large-scale public investment, policy puzzling and learning ensued. As a result, incremental changes were initiated, allowing limited private sector participation. The second empirical chapter explores the General Ziaur Rahman government's tenure (1975-1981) and how deregulation was consolidated within a layering step, paving the way for a shift towards globalization. General Zia and his technocrats, operating under authoritarian conditions, acknowledged the inefficacy of existing policies. Furthermore, General Zia's inclination towards the West fostered closer collaboration with donors. The Multifiber Agreement (MFA) presented an opportunity for garments, coinciding with the decline in jute exports. This government opened up industrial sectors for private participation, and banks provided funding across various sectors, with special emphasis on the burgeoning garment industry. The chapter also explores the origins of the garment industry during this period. Notably, Noorul Quader Khan, upon retiring as cabinet secretary, collaborated with a Korean multinational, Daewoo, with the support of General Zia, leading to the establishment of Desh Garments—a pioneering venture that catalyzed the export orientation of the sector. The third empirical chapter delves into the economic policies of the General Hussain Muhammad Ershad Government (1982-1990), highlighting its emphasis on greater private sector involvement. Under this administration, there was a political inclination towards globalization and deregulation, leading to the appointment of technocrats aligned with this vision. The leadership believed that promoting the private sector would be more effective in job creation. Despite facing significant political opposition, efforts towards disinvestment were made, eventually resulting in compromises like public-private partnerships. The decentralization of administration and restructuring of ministries aimed at promoting industrialization and economic globalization driven by the private sector at the regional level. Initiatives such as the Industrial Promotion and Development Company, with support from organizations like the International Finance Corporation, aimed to boost the private sector. Efforts towards globalization were synchronized with the establishment of an export processing zone in Chittagong, focusing on promoting private and foreign investment. Foreign investment promotion was encouraged through diplomatic efforts and legislative measures to safeguard investors. Currency devaluation was utilized to stimulate exports, along with some degree of import liberalization. The chapter convincingly argues that the groundwork for globalization, initiated under General Zia, came to fruition under General Ershad. The final empirical chapter contends that the system shifted towards globalization and deregulation in 1991. Although a severe balance of payments crisis occurred in 1989, it wasn't perceived as the sole cause of the industrial policy of 1991. The democratic uprising in 1990 led to the downfall of the military-backed government and the rise of a democratic government. The chapter argues that while economic and political changes may have been intertwined, the economic shift in 1991 was primarily driven by ideas within the state and driven by endogenous imperatives. It examines preceding periods to illustrate how the tipping mechanism might have operated, detailing the roles of top technocrats and political executives. The chapter provides insights into key policymakers and their ideas, as well as their interactions with industrialists, entrepreneurs, and representatives of multilateral organizations like the World Bank. Significant reform measures, including tariff reduction, the introduction of value-added tax, banking sector reform, and the adoption of floating exchange rates, are outcomes of the policy change. Additionally, sectors such as power, banks, and telecommunications, formerly monopolized by the public sector, are now deregulated. (shrink)

The Quest for Understanding: Conscious Intelligence and the Laws of Nature -/- Human beings, driven by an innate curiosity, have long sought to understand the natural world around them. This drive for knowledge extends not only to the external environment but also to the very laws that govern existence—both physical and conscious. But why does conscious intelligence, a byproduct of the very laws it seeks to comprehend, pursue an understanding of the universe, including itself? This essay explores the profound connection (...) between conscious intelligence and the laws of nature, highlighting how the drive to understand stems from the feedback mechanisms embedded in the universe, the self-awareness inherent in conscious beings, and the evolution of both the conscious mind and the universe itself. -/- The Feedback Loop Mechanism: Nature’s Drive for Balance -/- At the heart of the universe lies a system of natural laws that regulate and balance all phenomena, from the grandest cosmic forces to the smallest subatomic particles. These laws create feedback loops, where each system—whether biological, physical, or social—responds and adapts to internal and external conditions in order to maintain equilibrium. Consciousness itself can be seen as an extension of this fundamental process, a byproduct of the feedback loops that regulate the physical and biological systems of life. -/- Humans, like all living organisms, have evolved to interact with their environment through feedback mechanisms. These mechanisms allow us to respond to changes, learn from experiences, and adapt for survival. However, conscious beings possess the unique ability to reflect not only on their immediate environment but also on the deeper laws that govern existence. The quest for understanding is, in essence, an evolution of these feedback loops—where conscious intelligence seeks to better adapt to the world by comprehending the very principles that shape it. -/- Self-Awareness: Consciousness Reflecting on Itself -/- One of the defining features of human consciousness is self-awareness—the capacity to reflect on one’s own existence, thoughts, and place in the universe. This capacity is a direct result of the complexity of the feedback systems that govern life. The self-reflective nature of consciousness allows us to question not just how the world operates, but also the mechanisms by which we ourselves operate. -/- As conscious beings, we can look beyond immediate survival needs and ponder the deeper questions of existence. Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? What are the laws that govern us? These questions stem from the fact that consciousness is not only aware of the external world but also aware of itself. This self-awareness naturally extends to a desire to understand the laws that govern the broader universe, as well as the inner workings of the mind itself. -/- In this light, the drive for knowledge is not merely intellectual curiosity—it is an existential pursuit. Understanding the laws of nature, including those that govern consciousness, allows individuals to gain a deeper insight into their own existence. It offers the possibility of aligning with the natural world, of gaining harmony with the forces that shape our reality. This drive to understand the universe, including oneself, can be seen as a natural outgrowth of consciousness, an attempt to reconcile the self with the broader cosmic system. -/- Conscious Intelligence as Part of the Universe’s Self-Evolution -/- If we consider the universe as an evolving system, conscious intelligence is not a mere accident but a critical development in the universe’s self-regulation and growth. The natural laws that govern the physical and biological worlds have led to the emergence of self-aware beings—capable of reflecting on their place in the universe and striving for deeper understanding. -/- Consciousness can be seen as the universe’s attempt to comprehend itself. As complex systems emerge from simpler ones, consciousness emerges as a natural consequence of complexity. The universe, through the existence of conscious beings, comes to recognize and understand its own laws, expanding its self-awareness. In this sense, conscious intelligence serves as the universe’s reflective mechanism, continuously probing, questioning, and integrating the laws of nature into its own evolving structure. -/- This reflects a profound interconnectedness: just as a cell within a living organism strives to understand its role within the body, conscious intelligence seeks to understand its place within the universe. The laws of nature, acting as a feedback loop, push the conscious mind to seek balance, order, and understanding, not only for survival but also for the evolution of the system itself. -/- The Desire for Unity: Understanding the Laws of Nature as an Existential Pursuit -/- The search for understanding the laws of nature is not purely an intellectual endeavor; it is, at its core, a desire for unity and integration. Conscious intelligence seeks to understand the world and its place within it, striving to align with the natural order of the universe. This quest is an attempt to bridge the gap between the self and the cosmic whole, to harmonize with the laws that govern both the mind and the material world. -/- This drive for knowledge can be seen as part of an existential need—a desire to make sense of one’s existence and to understand how it fits into the broader framework of life. By comprehending the natural laws, conscious beings not only gain knowledge but also find meaning. Understanding the laws that govern us provides a sense of purpose and significance, allowing us to connect with something larger than ourselves. -/- In this sense, the pursuit of understanding the laws of nature is a spiritual journey as well as an intellectual one. It is an effort to achieve greater balance and harmony with the universe, aligning oneself with the deeper principles that govern existence. As we understand the universe’s workings, we can better navigate the complexities of life and find a sense of peace and coherence in a world that is, by nature, dynamic and ever-changing. -/- Conclusion -/- The drive of conscious intelligence to understand the laws of nature—including the very laws that govern consciousness itself—stems from a deep and intrinsic connection between consciousness and the universe. This quest for knowledge is not merely intellectual curiosity; it is a natural extension of the feedback mechanisms that regulate all systems, the self-awareness that allows for reflection, and the self-evolution of both the conscious mind and the universe. Conscious intelligence seeks to understand the universe, not just for practical reasons but as a means of achieving harmony, balance, and unity with the laws that shape existence. -/- In this way, conscious intelligence is both a product and a tool of the universe’s natural processes. By understanding the laws of nature, conscious beings do not only gain knowledge—they gain a deeper connection to the universe and their own place within it. Through this understanding, the universe, through us, continues its journey toward greater self-awareness and integration, guided by the very feedback loops and laws that have always governed its existence. -/- . (shrink)

Cancer, a multifactorial and emergent disease, results from a complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Stress, as a chronic biological and psychological phenomenon, has long been implicated in cancer development and progression. Using the framework of Chirality of Dynamic Emergent Systems (CODES), this paper posits that stress functions as a destabilizing force in the dynamic equilibrium between chaos (entropy) and order (homeostasis). By applying CODES, we model how chronic stress disrupts cellular and systemic adaptive mechanisms, (...) leading to the emergence of cancer as a maladaptive outcome. This approach reframes the relationship between stress and cancer, offering new insights into prevention, treatment, and systemic health. (shrink)

This paper introduces CODES (Chirality of Dynamic Emergent Systems), a unifying theoretical framework that reconciles general relativity and quantum mechanics through structured resonance. By redefining fundamental assumptions about dark matter, dark energy, and singularities, CODES proposes a falsifiable, predictive model that aligns with observed cosmological structures while offering testable insights into emergent phenomena. Key Contributions • Resolution of General Relativity & Quantum Mechanics Paradox CODES introduces structured intelligence fields that reconcile relativistic and quantum-scale physics by incorporating oscillatory chiral dynamics. (...) • Reformulation of Dark Energy & Dark Matter Instead of treating dark energy and dark matter as separate entities, CODES reinterprets them as emergent resonance effects, aligning with observed cosmic structure formation. • Predictive Framework for Large-Scale Structures The model explains periodic redshift distributions, baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), and gravitational field fluctuations in a mathematically consistent manner. • Resonance-Driven Model of Cosmic Evolution By replacing singularities with structured phase transitions, CODES provides an alternative to singular Big Bang models, proposing an oscillatory, non-singular origin of space-time and matter. By integrating mathematics, quantum field theory, wavelet analysis, and cosmology, CODES challenges conventional paradigms and offers a structured resonance approach as an alternative explanatory framework. This model provides both theoretical coherence and experimental testability, making it a candidate for further empirical validation. Version Note V6 includes empirical test results from prime number distributions, fMRI patterns, DNA resonance, and large-scale galaxy clustering using continuous wavelet transforms (CWT). Structured wavelet analysis conducted with GPT-4o and Perplexity R1 further supports the model’s predictive capabilities. Discussion & Next Steps This work invites peer review, critique, and further empirical testing from researchers in physics, cosmology, AI, and applied mathematics. Future research will focus on refining the mathematical formalism and exploring experimental validation in wavelet-based cosmological mapping. (shrink)

We introduce the notion of complexity, first at an intuitive level and then in relatively more concrete terms, explaining the various characteristic features of complex systems with examples. There exists a vast literature on complexity, and our exposition is intended to be an elementary introduction, meant for a broad audience. -/- Briefly, a complex system is one whose description involves a hierarchy of levels, where each level is made of a large number of components interacting among themselves. The time (...) evolution of such a system is of a complex nature, depending on the interactions among subsystems in the next level below the one under consideration and, at the same time, conditioned by the level above, where the latter sets the context for the evolution. Generally speaking, the interactions among the constituents of the various levels lead to a dynamics characterized by numerous characteristic scales, each level having its own set of scales. What is more, a level commonly exhibits ‘emergent properties’ that cannot be derived from considerations relating to its component systems taken in isolation or to those in a different contextual setting. In the dynamic evolution of some particular level, there occurs a self-organized emergence of a higher level and the process is repeated at still higher levels. -/- The interaction and self-organization of the components of a complex system follow the principle commonly expressed by saying that the ‘whole is different from the sum of the parts’. In the case of systems whose behavior can be expressed mathematically in terms of differential equations this means that the interactions are nonlinear in nature. -/- While all of the above features are not universally exhibited by complex systems, these are nevertheless indicative of a broad commonness relative to which individual systems can be described and analyzed. There exist measures of complexity which, once again, are not of universal applicability, being more heuristic than exact. The present state of knowledge and understanding of complex systems is itself an emerging one. Still, a large number of results on various systems can be related to their complex character, making complexity an immensely fertile concept in the study of natural, biological, and social phenomena. -/- All this puts a very definite limitation on the complete description of a complex system as a whole since such a system can be precisely described only contextually, relative to some particular level, where emergent properties rule out an exact description of more than one levels within a common framework. -/- We discuss the implications of these observations in the context of our conception of the so-called noumenal reality that has a mind-independent existence and is perceived by us in the form of the phenomenal reality. The latter is derived from the former by means of our perceptions and interpretations, and our efforts at sorting out and making sense of the bewildering complexity of reality takes the form of incessant processes of inference that lead to theories. Strictly speaking, theories apply to models that are constructed as idealized versions of parts of reality, within which inferences and abstractions can be carried out meaningfully, enabling us to construct the theories. -/- There exists a correspondence between the phenomenal and the noumenal realities in terms of events and their correlations, where these are experienced as the complex behavior of systems or entities of various descriptions. The infinite diversity of behavior of systems in the phenomenal world are explained within specified contexts by theories. The latter are constructs generated in our ceaseless attempts at interpreting the world, and the question arises as to whether these are reflections of `laws of nature' residing in the noumenal world. This is a fundamental concern of scientific realism, within the fold of which there exists a trend towards the assumption that theories express truths about the noumenal reality. We examine this assumption (referred to as a ‘point of view’ in the present essay) closely and indicate that an alternative point of view is also consistent within the broad framework of scientific realism. This is the view that theories are domain-specific and contextual, and that these are arrived at by independent processes of inference and abstractions in the various domains of experience. Theories in contiguous domains of experience dovetail and interpenetrate with one another, and bear the responsibility of correctly explaining our observations within these domains. -/- With accumulating experience, theories get revised and the network of our theories of the world acquires a complex structure, exhibiting a complex evolution. There exists a tendency within the fold of scientific realism of interpreting this complex evolution in rather simple terms, where one assumes (this, again, is a point of view) that theories tend more and more closely to truths about Nature and, what is more, progress towards an all-embracing ‘ultimate theory’ -- a foundational one in respect of all our inquiries into nature. We examine this point of view closely and outline the alternative view -- one broadly consistent with scientific realism -- that there is no ‘ultimate’ law of nature, that theories do not correspond to truths inherent in reality, and that successive revisions in theory do not lead monotonically to some ultimate truth. Instead, the theories generated in succession are incommensurate with each other, testifying to the fact that a theory gives us a perspective view of some part of reality, arrived at contextually. Instead of resembling a monotonically converging series successive theories are analogous to asymptotic series. -/- Before we summarize all the above considerations, we briefly address the issue of the complexity of the {\it human mind} -- one as pervasive as the complexity of Nature at large. The complexity of the mind is related to the complexity of the underlying neuronal organization in the brain, which operates within a larger biological context, its activities being modulated by other physiological systems, notably the one involving a host of chemical messengers. The mind, with no materiality of its own, is nevertheless emergent from the activity of interacting neuronal assemblies in the brain. As in the case of reality at large, there can be no ultimate theory of the mind, from which one can explain and predict the entire spectrum of human behavior, which is an infinitely rich and diverse one. (shrink)

Achieving Coherence introduces a transformative framework for understanding and managing the complexities of dynamic systems. In a world where uncertainty and interconnected challenges define the landscape, the SPARC framework (Spectrum of Possibility and Recursive Choice) offers a unified model to address these issues, bridging the gap between theory and application across disciplines. This work explores the principles of coherence, constraint satisfaction, and recursive feedback, shedding light on how systems maintain stability and adapt in the face of evolving constraints and (...) environmental noise. By integrating dimensional transitions, multi-constraint optimization, and resilience to stochastic influences, SPARC provides a novel approach to modeling systems that are inherently complex and interdependent. Applications range from stabilizing critical infrastructure and managing ecosystems under stress to advancing artificial intelligence and optimizing multi-agent systems. By demonstrating how local behaviors interact with global dynamics and how systems can thrive under variability, Achieving Coherence presents a compelling vision for navigating complexity and driving innovation in an interconnected world. (shrink)

The causal efficacy of a material system is usually thought to be produced by the law-like actions and interactions of its constituents. Here, a specific system is constructed and explained that produces a cause that cannot be understood in this way, but instead has novel and autonomous efficacy. The construction establishes a proof-of-feasibility of strong emergence. The system works by utilizing randomness in a targeted and cyclical way, and by relying on sustained evolution by natural selection. (...) It is not vulnerable to standard arguments against strong emergence, in particular ones that assume that the physical realm is causally closed. Moreover, it does not suffer from epiphenomenalism or causal overdetermination. The system uses only standard material components and processes, and is fully consistent with naturalism. It is discussed whether the emergent cause can still be viewed as ‘material’ in the way that term is commonly understood. (shrink)

The Paradigm of the Systemic Continuum (PCS), presented in Toward a Systemic Continuum (de León Pontet, 2025), challenges the natural/artificial dichotomy as an anthropocentric bias that has fragmented systems theory for centuries. This second preprint formalizes Systemic Balance (BS) as a hierarchical principle—articulated as Balance Sistémico Interior (BSI), Umbral Sistémico (US), and Balance Sistémico Exterior (BSE)—that unifies biological, technological, social, and cosmic systems in an emergent continuum. Integrating the insights of homeostasis (Wiener), autopoiesis (Maturana & Varela), emergence (Kauffman), and cybernetics (...) with a renewed systemic phenomenology (Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty), the PCS repositions the observer as a catalyzing ingredient, not an external creator, and redefines intelligence as the capacity for systemic reconfiguration. We propose operative metrics (ICS, CNS, MDO, IDS) for empirical validation, offer a tentative mathematical formalization, and explore historical blind spots that honor and transcend the pioneers of systems theory. Ranging from urban coralization to cosmic forces, the PCS aspires to serve as a unified theory of emergent organization, inviting scientists, philosophers, and technologists to a revolutionary dialogue that illuminates how synergy weaves the tapestry of the universe. (shrink)

Arthur Kaufmann is one of the most prominent figures among the contemporary philosophers of law in German speaking countries. For many years he was a director of the Institute of Philosophy of Law and Computer Sciences for Law at the University in Munich. Presently, he is a retired professor of this university. Rare in the contemporary legal thought, Arthur Kaufmann's philosophy of law is one with the highest ambitions — it aspires to pinpoint the ultimate foundations of law by explicitly (...) proposing an ontology, a general theory of knowledge and concept of a person. Kaufmann's work derives, first of all, from the thinking of Gustav Radburch, his teacher, and then from ideas of Karl Engish and Hans-Georg Gadamer. The philosophy undertakes to pursue the ultimate foundation of law, law which is understood by Kaufmann, first of all, as a "concrete judgement" that is, what is right in a concrete situation. Justice belongs to the essence of law and "unjust law" is contradictio in adiectio. Kaufmann opposes all those theories, which as the only foundation for establishing just law (Recht) adopt legal norms (Gesetz). In Kaufmann's opinion , such theories are powerless in the face of all types of distortions of law rendered by political forces. He suggests that the basic phenomenon which needs to be explained and which cannot be disregarded by a philosopher of law is so-called "legal lawlessness" ("Gestzliches Unrecht"). "Legal lawlessness" which forms a part of life experience for the people of twentieth century totalitarian states. It proved "with the accuracy of scientific experiment" that the reality of law consists of something more than bare conformity with legal norms. The existence of lex corrupta indicates that law contains something "non-dispositive" which requires acknowledgment of both law-maker and judge. Kaufmann, accepting the convergent concept of truth and cognition, assumes that "non-dispositive" content, emerging as the conformity of a number of cognitive acts of different subjects (inter-subjective communicativeness and verifiability), indicates the presence of being in this cognition. The questions "What is law?" and "What are the principles of a just solution?" lead straight to the ontology of law, to the question about the ontological foundations of law. Kaufmann discerns the ontological foundations of law in the specifically understood "nature of things" and, ultimately, in a "person". He proposes a procedural theory of justice, founded on a "person". In my work, I undertake to reconstruct the train of thought which led Kaufmann to the recognition of a "person" as the ontological foundation of law. In the first part, the conception of philosophy adopted by Kaufmann, initial characteristics of law — of reality which is the subject of analysis, as well as, the requirements for proper philosophical explanation of law posed by Kaufmann are introduced. In the second, Kaufmann's reconstruction of the process of the realisation of law is presented. Next, the conception of analogy which Kaufmann uses when explaining law is analyzed. In the fourth part, Kaufmann's conception of ontological foundations of law is discussed. A critical analysis is carried out in which I demonstrate that the theory of the ontological foundation of law proposed by Kaufmann and the concept of a person included in it do not allow a satisfac¬tory explanation of the phenomenon of "legal lawlessness" and lead to a number of difficulties in the philosophical explanation of law. Finally, the perspectives of a proper formulation of the issue of the ontological foundations of law are drafted in the context of the analyzed theory. My interest is centered on the conception of philosophy adopted by Kaufmann, according to which the existence of the reality is inferred on the basis of a certain configuration of the content of consciousness, whereas at the point of departure of philosophy of law, the data to be explained is a certain process, which is, basically, a process of cognition, while the reality appears only as a condition for the possibility of the occurrence of the process. I wish to argue that the difficulties which appear in the explanation of law are a consequence of the assumed fundamental philosophical solu¬tions, which seem to be characteristic, though usually not assumed explicitly, in philoso¬phy and theory of law dominant at present in continental Europe. Thereby, I wish to show the significance of ontological and epistemological solutions to the possibility of a proper formulation of the problems posed by philosophy and theory of law. Kaufmann proclaims himself in favour of a philosophy which poses questions about the ultimate foundations of understanding of the reality. In epistemology, he assumes that answers to the questions "What is reality like?" and ultimately "What is real?" are inferred on the basis of uniformity of a cognitive acts of different subjects. Cognition of the reality is accomplished exclusively through the content of conceptual material. The two fundamental questions posed by philosophy of law are "What is just law?" and "How is the just law enacted?" The latter is a question about the process of achieving a solution to a concrete case. Since, in Kaufmann's opinion, law does not exist apart from the process of its realisation, an answer to the question about the manner of realisation of law is of fundamental significance to answering the question: "What is law?" and to the explanation of the question about the ontological grounding of law, which is, as well, the foundation of justice. The proper solution has to take into account the moment of "non-dispositive" content of law; its positiveness understood as the reality and, at the same time, it has to point to the principles of the historical transformation of the content. Law, in the primary meaning of the word, always pertains, in Kaufmann's opinion, to a concrete case. A legal norm is solely the "possibility" of law and the entirely real law is ipsa res iusta, that which is just in a given situation. Determination of what is just takes place in a certain type of process performed by a judge (or by man confronted with a choice). Kaufmann aims to reconstruct this process. A question about the ontological foundation of law is a question about the ontological foundations of this process. In the analyzed theory it is formulated as a question about the transcendental conditions, necessary for the possibility of the occurrence of the process: how the reality should be thought to make possible the reconstructed process of the realisation of law. Kaufmann rejects the model for finding a concrete solution based on simple subsump¬tion and proposes a model in which concrete law ensues, based on inference by analogy, through the process of "bringing to conformity" that which is normative with that which is factual. Kaufmann distinguishes three levels in the process of the realisation of law. On the highest level, there are the fundamental legal principles, on the second legal norms, on the third — concrete solutions. The fundamental principles of law are general inasmuch as they cannot be "applied" directly to concrete conditions of life, however, they play an important part in establishing norms. A judge encounters a concrete situation and a system of legal norms. A life situation and norms are situated on inherently different levels of factuality and normativeness. In order to acquire a definite law both a norm (system of norms) and a life situation (Lebenssachverhalt) should undergo a kind of "treatment" which would allow a mutual conformity to be brought to them. Legal norms and definite conditions of life come together in the process of analogical inference in which the "factual state" ("Tatbestand") — which represents a norm, and in the "state of things" ("Sachverhalt") — which represents a specific situation are constructed. A "factual state" is a sense interpreted from a norm with respect to specific conditions of life. The "state of things" is a sense constructed on the basis of concrete conditions of life with respect to norms (system of norms). Legal norms and concrete conditions of life meet in one common sense established during the process of realisation of law. Mutatis mutandis the same refers to the process of composition of legal norms: as the acquisition of concrete law consists in a mutual "synchronization" of norms and concrete conditions of life, so acquisition of legal norms consists of bringing to conformity fundamental principles and possible conditions of life. According to Kaufmann, both of these processes are based on inference through analogy. As this inference is the heart of these processes it is simultaneously a foundation finding just law and justice. How does Kaufmann understand such an inference? As the basis for all justice he assumes a specifically interpreted distributive justice grounded on proportionality. Equality of relations is required between life conditions and their normative qualification. Concrete conditions of life are ascribed normative qualification not through simple application of a general norm. More likely, when we look for a solution we go from one concrete normative qualified case to another, through already known "applications" of norms to a new "application". The relation between life conditions and their normative qualifica¬tion has to be proportional to other, earlier or possible (thought of) assignments of that which is factual to that which is normative. Law as a whole does not consist of a set of norms, but only of a unity of relations. Since law is a, based on proportion, relative unity of a norm and conditions of life, in order to explain law in philosophical manner, the question about ontological base of this unity has to be asked. What is it that makes the relation between a norm and conditions of life "non-dispositive"? What is the basis for such an interpretation of a norm and case which makes it possible to bring a norm and conditions of life into mutual "conformity"? This is a question about a third thing (next to norms and conditions of life), with respect to which the relative identity between a norm and conditions of life occurs, about the intermediary between that which is normative and that which is factual and which provides for the process of establishing of norms, as well as, finding solutions. It is the "sense" in which the idea of law or legal norm and conditions of life have to be identical to be brought to mutual "conformity". In Kaufmann's opinion such a sense is nothing else but the "nature of things" which determines the normative qualification of the reality. Since establishment of this "sense" appears to be "non-dispositive" and controlled inter-subjectively (namely, other subjects will reach a similar result) so, in conformity with the convergent concept of truth, the "nature of things" must be assigned a certain ontological status. According to Kaufmann this is a real relation which occurs between being and obligation, between the conditions of life and normative quality. However, it should be underlined that from the point of view of the analyzed system the "nature of things" is a correlate of constructed sense, a result of a construction which is based on the principle of consistent understanding of senses ("non-normative" and "normative") and is not a reality which is transcendent against the arrangement of senses. In Kaufmann's theory, inference from analogy appears to be a process of reshaping the concepts (senses) governed by tendency to understand the contents appearing in relations between that which is factual and that which is normative in a consistent way. The analogical structure of language (concepts) and recognition of being as composed of an essence and existence is an indispensable requirement for the possibility of the realisation of law, based on specifically understood inference from analogy. It is necessary to assume a moment of existence without content which ensures unity of cognition. Existence emerges thus as a condition of the possibility of cognition. According to Kaufmann, the "nature of things" is the heart of inference through analogy and the basis for establishment of finding of law. Inference from the "state of things" to a norm or from a norm to the "state of things" always means inference through the "nature of things". The "nature of things" is the proper medium of objective legal sense sought in every cognition of law. In Kaufmann's view, the question whether the "nature of things" is ultima ratio of interpretation of law or is only a means of supplement gaps in law or whether it is one of the sources of law, is posed wrongly. The "nature of things" serves neither to supplement the gaps nor is it a source of law as, for example, a legal norm may be. It is a certain kind of "catalyst" necessary in every act of making law and solving a concrete case. Owing to "nature of things" it is possible to bring to a mutual conformity the idea of law and possible conditions of life or legal norms and concrete conditions of life. In Kaufmann's conception the "nature of things" is not yet the ultimate basis for understanding the "non-dispositiveness" of law. The relation between obligation and being is determined in the process of the realisation of law. Both the process itself and that which is transformed in this process are given. A question about the ontological bases of "material" contents undergoing "treatment" in the process of the realisation of law and about being which is the basis of regularity of the occurrence of the process arises. Only this will allow an explanation that the result of the process is not optional. Thus, a question about reality to which law refers and about the subject realising the law has to be formed. To this, Kaufmann gives the following answer: that which is missing is man but not "empirical man" but man as a "person". A "person" understood as a set of relations between man and other people and things. A "person" is the intermediary between those things which are different — norm and case are brought to conformity. A "person" is that which is given and permanent in the process of the realisation of law. It determines the content of law, is "subject" of law; this aspect is described by Kaufmann as the "what" of the process of realisation of law. A "person" consists of precisely just these relations which undergo "treatment" in the process. On the other hand, a "person" is "a place" in which the processes of realisation of law occur, it is the "how" of normative discourse, a "person" is that which determines the procedure of the process, being "outside" of it. This aspect of a "person" is connected with the formal moment of law. A "person" being, at the same time, the "how" and the "what" of the process of the realisation of law, is also, to put it differently, a structural unity of relation and that which constitutes this relation (unity of relatio and relata). According to this approach a "person" is neither an object nor a subject. It exists only "in between". It is not substance. Law is the relation between being and obligation. That which is obligatory is connected with that which is general. That which is general does not exist on its own, it is not completely real. Accordingly, a "person" as such is also not real. It is relational, dynamic and historical. A "person" is not a state but an event. In Kaufmann's opinion, such a concept of a "person" helps to avoid the difficulties connected with the fungibility of law in classical legal positivism. A "person" is that which is given, which is not at free disposal and secures the moment of "non-dispositiveness" of law. Kaufmann concludes: "The idea (»nature«) of law is either the idea of a personal man or is nothing". Theory points at the structure of realising law and explains the process of adoption of general legal norms for a concrete situation. The analysis has shown however, that in this theory a satisfactory answer to the question about the ultimate foundations of law is not given. It seems that in the analyzed theory the understanding of human being takes place through understanding of law. What is good for man as a "person", what is just, what a "person" deserves may be determined only against the existing system of law. A "per¬son" adopted as a basis of law is the reality postulated in the analysis of the process of the realisation of law. It is a condition of possibility of this process ( explaining, on one hand, its unity and, on the other hand, the non-dispositive moments stated in this process). A "person" in the discussed theory is entirely defined by the structure of law, it can be nothing more than that which is given in law, what law refers to, what law is about. Being, which is a "person", is constituted by relations between people and objects, the relations which are based on fundamental links between norms and conditions of life established in a process of bringing them to conformity. It has to be assumed that man as a "person" is a subject of law only as far as realising law "treats" given senses according to their current configuration. The system of law is a starting point and it describes in content what man is as a "person". Moreover, being a "person" is the condition for entering legal relations. Consistently, Kaufmann writes that "empirical man" is not the subject of law, man is not "out of nature" a "person". People become "persons" due to the fact that they acknowledge each other as "persons" — acknowledging, at the same time, law. This acknowledgement is a con¬dition of existence, of the possibility of the occurrence of process of realisation of law and of constituting legal relations which ultimately constitute a "person". Kaufmann assumes, that law tends towards a moral aim: it may and must create an external freedom, without which the internal freedom to fulfil moral obligations cannot develop. However, this postulate is not based on the necessary structure of human being. From the point of view of his system, it is nothing more than only a condition for the possibility of the occurrence of the process of the realisation of law — lack of freedom would destroy the "how" of this process. Thus, the postulate to protect the freedom of personal acts has to be interpreted, in accordance with the analyzed theory, as a postulate, the fulfilment of which aims ultimately at the accomplishment of the very same process of realisation of law itself and not the realisation of a given man. Kaufmann considers a "person" to be an element which unites the system of law as a whole. Law is a structure of relations, which are interdependent and inter-contingent. Consequently, a "person" which is to form the ontological basis of law has to be entity consisting of all relations. Being also the "how" of the process of realisation of law, if a "person" is to warrant its unity, it has to be a common source for all procedures. Hence, a single "person" would constitute a subject of law. Man appears to be only a moment of a certain entirety, realisation of which should be an aim of his actions. Law, creating a "person" as an object and subject of law becomes a primary entity. In the analyzed theory, the basis for determination of aims which law sets to man is not the allocation of man-subject to something which improves him but rather, such relation is only just constituted by law. A question appears, why should aims set in law also be the aims of "empirical man"? Why is this "empirical man" to be punished in the name of a "person" understood in such a way? If, however, it is assumed that what is man is determined by a system which is superior to him, then man has to be understood only as a part of a whole and there are no grounds to prohibit istrumental treatment of man and so the road to all aspects of totalitarianism might be opened. A problem of the application of created theory to the reality arises, the reality which the theory pretends to explain. Ultimately in his theory Kaufmann does not give any systemic grounds for a radical questioning of the validity of any legal norms. Every new norm becomes an equal part of system of norms. It is only its interpretation and application to given conditions of life that may be disputable, however, this refers to all norms without exception. Cohesive inter-pretation of norms and applications is necessary and sufficient for the acquisition of just law. New norms have to be interpreted in the light of others, correspondingly, the other norms require reinterpretation in the light of the new ones. Contradiction in interpretation of a norm does not form a basis for questioning norms but may serve only to question the manner of their interpretation (understanding). Therefore, no grounds exist to assume any legal norm as criminal or unjust, and in consequence, to question any consistently realised system based on formally, properly established norms, as "legal lawlessness". As law and a "person" do not exist without the process of realisation of law, the role of legal safety becomes crucial as the condition for the possibility of the occurrence of the process of realisation of law. Denying legal safety would be tantamount to negation of law in general (also of moral law) as negation of safety takes away, at the same time, the basis for occurrence of the process of realisation of law. Moreover, any lack of legal safety would also mean lack of a basis for the existence of man as a "person". Kaufmann's thesis, that civil disobedience is legalized only when it has a chance to lead to success, consistent with his concept of the foundations of law, seems to point directly to conclusions which deny the facts taken under consideration and doubtlessly Kaufmann's own intentions, since it would have to be assumed that accordingly there are no grounds to question a legal system in force based on violence which secures its operation. Force finally seems to determine which one of the mutually irreconcilable normative systems constitute law and which does not. A legitimate position is one which leads to success, it is the weaker system which is negated. If so, then basically violent imposition of law is not an act directed against the law in force but, to the contrary, realisation of law. In the context of the new system the former system of law may be talked about as unjust solely in the sense of being incapable of being consistently united with the new. However, at the base, ultimately, lies force which reaffirms differences and excludes from the process of realisation of law certain norms and their interpretations. Kaufmann was aiming at grounding of that which is "non-dispositive" in a certain given framework of interpretation. Nevertheless, he does not provide foundations for the understanding of phenomena, which he undertakes to explain at a point of departure. Instead of explaining them the theory negates the possibility of their existence. The reality postulated in regard to "non-dispositive" moments of the reconstructed process of acquiring law consist of a specifically understood "person", which appears in Kaufmann's conceptions as a condition of the possibility of the realisation of law. According to this approach understanding of a "person" may be only a function of law. To understand "legal lawlessness" and foundations of justice it is necessary to look for such theory of law in which understanding of man as a "person" and being is not a function of understanding of law (in which a "person" is not only a condition for possibility of reconstructed process of realisation of law; for possibility of cognition processes). It seems necessary to start from theory of being and a "person" based on broader experience than the one assumed by Kaufmann and reconstruct the ontological foundations of the process of realisation of law only in such perspective. Kaufmann points out that that to which law refers is ipsa res iusta a concrete relation of man to other people and things. This relation, in his theory, appears to be basically only just constituted by law (normative senses "applied" to conditions of life). Therefore, understanding the relation between a given man and other people and things which constitute the aim of his actions, that is understanding of good, is enacted against the background of constitution of senses; constitution which is a result of a process aiming towards consistent understanding of particular contents (of nor¬mative and non-normative senses). "Being" is secondary towards constructed senses it is only their correlate. The primary relation consists of relation of a man to law (system of norms), while the secondary relation is one of man to something which is the aim of his action (relation between man and good). Considering such approach it is difficult to envision a satisfying answer to the fundamental question: why does law put concrete man under any obligation to obey it? The source of this problem can be seen in reduction of the base for understanding good to content of obligation formulated in auto-reflection. Such reduction seems to be a consequence of Kaufmann's adoption of "convergent concept of truth" and in con¬sequence his recognition of indirect, essentialistic grasp of reality formulated in concepts as the basic and only foundation of theory of being and of law. In view of such an approach, analogy of law, concepts and being is the condition for the possibility of the process of transformation of senses which aims at consistent interpretation of all law. Existence is postulated with respect to the possibility of unity of experience and cognition. However, also a different approach to understanding of the problem of being and good is possible. In spontaneous cognition being is affirmed, first of all, not as a certain, non-contradictory, determined content, but as something existing. Together with a cer¬tain content (passed indirectly through notions) existence of being is co-given. The basis for unity of being is not formed by the consistence of content, as it is in the case of the theories departing from the analysis of cognition processes, but by an act of existence realising content (essence). Such an approach makes it also possible to go beyond the convergent concept of truth. It is worth mentioning that allocation of an agent to good is realised not only by the content of duty. A statement that something is good is primary with respect to determination of this good in content. The recognised good always bears some content, however, there are no reasons to base the concept of good exclusively on indirect, formulated in concepts cognition. As primary, can be adopted the relation of man to good and not of man to law. Determination in content appears to be only an articulation of aspectual cognition of being, as an object of action. In such a case the basis for relative unity of norm and conditions of life is not the "nature of things" understood as correlate of sense but it is relation to good based on internal constitution of man as potential, not self-sufficient being. It does not mean, that the moments of the process of realisation of law singled out by Kaufmann are not important to determination of what is just. He, quite rightly, points to significant role played by norms in the evaluation of concrete situations, in man's search for closer specification in content of good innate to him. The structure of process of determining law for a concrete situation, to a great degree corresponds to the processes of determining law which take place not only in the legal sciences. Kaufmann's analyses of the process of realisation of law show the complexity of the structure of these processes and point towards important moments allowing a better understanding of law and man. Nevertheless, these analyses cannot be a basis for construction of philosophical theory of law, theory which hopes to point out the ultimate, ontological foundations for understanding law. Kaufmann's results may become fully valid only in a more general perspective including broader experience at the point of departure. (shrink)

We consider emergence from the perspective of dynamics: states of a system evolving with time. We focus on the role of a decomposition of wholes into parts, and attempt to characterize relationships between levels without reference to whether higher-level properties are “novel” or “unexpected.” We offer a classification of different varieties of emergence, with and without new ontological elements at higher levels. -/- Submitted to a volume on Real Patterns (Tyler Milhouse, ed.), to be published by MIT Press.

Abstract: The Missing Phase in E=mc²—Plasma as the Foundational State of Energy-Mass Equivalence -/- 1. Problem Statement • E=mc² assumes an instantaneous energy-mass transition but lacks an intermediary stabilization state. • Mass should not be treated as a fundamental property but as an emergent resonance of structured energy. • Without a structured intermediary, mass formation remains incomplete, leaving gaps in quantum field theory and cosmology. -/- 2. Core Hypothesis – Plasma-First Theory (PFT) • Mass does not emerge directly from (...) energy but through a coherence-scored resonance process within a Quantum Coherence Field (QCF). • Plasma serves as a structured decoherence state, mediating energy-mass transitions via prime resonance constraints. • Gravity is not an independent force but a standing-wave remnant of plasma-field interactions. -/- 3. Key Implications • Mass formation follows structured prime resonance constraints rather than spontaneous emergence. • Dark matter may be a phase-locked plasma state, explaining its gravitational effects without direct interaction. • Plasma-first modeling predicts new methods for mass manipulation and energy extraction beyond fusion. • Black holes are extreme plasma-phase coherence transitions, not singularities. -/- 4. Experimental Validation • Prime-Based Plasma Spectroscopy → High-energy plasma emissions should exhibit prime-numbered coherence gaps. • Gravitational Resonance Quantization → LIGO data should reveal structured prime-frequency distortions. • Cosmic Spectral Analysis → Dark matter distributions should align with prime resonance constraints. -/- Technological Implications of Plasma-First Theory (PFT) -/- 1. Energy Generation & Storage • Beyond Fusion Power → Plasma resonance tuning could enable more efficient, controlled energy extraction beyond conventional fusion methods. • Resonance-Based Energy Harvesting → Coherence-scored plasma fields could allow direct conversion of structured energy states into usable power. • Zero-Waste Energy Systems → Understanding energy as a phase-state transition could lead to near-perfect energy recycling methods. -/- 2. Mass Manipulation & Material Science • Programmable Mass Formation → Using prime-locked plasma coherence, mass structures could be dynamically altered or synthesized at will. • New State of Matter Engineering → Plasma stabilization techniques may unlock previously unknown stable matter configurations. • Self-Organizing Materials → Materials could be designed to adaptively shift between energy and mass phases based on environmental conditions. -/- 3. Gravity & Inertia Control • Interference-Based Gravity Modulation → If gravity is a plasma standing wave effect, controlled resonance tuning could enable gravitational lensing or reduction of inertia. • Anti-Gravity Applications → Prime-frequency coherence interference might allow local mass fields to become inertia-free, revolutionizing transportation. • Resonant Spacecraft Propulsion → If mass emerges from structured resonance, spacecraft could manipulate their mass-energy phase to optimize thrust efficiency. -/- 4. Black Hole & Dark Matter Engineering • Black Hole Energy Extraction → If black holes are extreme plasma-phase transitions, they could be harnessed for structured energy retrieval instead of seen as one-way sinks. • Dark Matter Utilization → If dark matter is phase-locked plasma, unlocking its resonance signature could enable controlled interaction for energy extraction or shielding applications. -/- 5. Computing & Information Processing • Plasma-Phase Quantum Computing → If coherence-scored resonance governs energy structures, plasma-based quantum computing may outperform conventional qubit models. • Information Storage in Plasma Fields → Instead of silicon-based hardware, structured plasma coherence could encode and retrieve data with near-infinite density and efficiency. -/- 6. Medical & Biophysical Applications • Coherence-Based Healing Technologies → Structured energy fields could be tuned for cellular regeneration, accelerating healing and potentially reversing degenerative conditions. • Bio-Resonance Medicine → If biological structures follow prime-locked resonance principles, medical treatments could be optimized to match natural coherence states for maximum effectiveness. -/- 7. Universal Implications • Cosmological Engineering → Understanding how mass emerges from structured energy could allow future civilizations to modify space-time at will. • Resonance-Based AI → AI could be designed to operate on structured plasma coherence, allowing it to interact with fundamental physical principles instead of traditional computational limitations. In short, PFT could redefine energy, mass, gravity, and technology itself—bridging physics with engineering in a way that eliminates inefficiencies and unlocks entirely new paradigms. -/- This framework redefines mass, gravity, and matter formation, proposing that plasma is the missing intermediary state in energy-matter interactions. (shrink)

Non-Organic Matter, Organic Matter, Consciousness, Free Will, Intelligence, and Creativity in Relation to the Universal Formula -/- By Angelito Enriquez Malicse -/- Introduction -/- The relationship between non-organic matter, organic matter, consciousness, free will, intelligence, and creativity has long been studied separately in science, philosophy, and psychology. However, when examined through the universal law of balance in nature, as defined in my universal formula, these elements are seen as interconnected manifestations of a single natural order. This perspective offers a complete (...) understanding of how matter evolves into intelligence, how free will operates, and how creativity emerges as an extension of the natural equilibrium that governs all things. -/- Non-Organic and Organic Matter: The Foundation of Reality -/- At the core of the material universe, we distinguish between non-organic matter (inanimate substances such as atoms, molecules, and cosmic structures) and organic matter (biological entities capable of self-regulation and adaptation). -/- Despite their apparent differences, both are governed by the same fundamental law of balance: -/- Non-organic matter follows physical laws such as gravity, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism, which maintain stability in the universe. -/- Organic matter emerges from non-organic matter as a natural extension of these balancing forces, evolving biological mechanisms to sustain life. -/- The transformation from non-organic to organic matter is not random but a consequence of equilibrium, where chemical reactions reach stability and enable life to form. -/- Thus, life itself is an outcome of nature’s inherent drive toward balance—a principle that applies to all forms of existence, from the atomic level to complex living organisms. -/- Consciousness as a Balancing Mechanism -/- Consciousness is often misunderstood as something separate from the physical world. However, my universal formula reveals that it is simply a higher-order process of equilibrium: -/- Consciousness arises when organic matter (the brain) reaches a level of complexity that allows it to perceive and regulate internal and external states. -/- The brain operates through homeostasis, ensuring a constant balance between sensory input, cognitive processing, and decision-making. -/- This balancing process is what allows individuals to experience self-awareness, emotions, and rational thought. -/- Thus, consciousness is not a separate entity but an emergent function of biological and environmental balance, ensuring an organism’s survival and adaptation. -/- Free Will: The Decision-Making Process of Balance -/- Free will has long been debated—whether it exists, whether it is an illusion, or whether it operates beyond the laws of physics. My universal formula provides the exact answer: -/- Free will is not absolute autonomy but the ability to make choices within the constraints of natural balance. -/- Every decision is shaped by feedback mechanisms between the mind, body, and external environment. -/- Ignorance, false beliefs, or external manipulation disrupts this balance, leading to poor decision-making. -/- True free will is achieved when decisions align with the universal law of balance, ensuring rational, informed, and sustainable choices. -/- This means that free will is not about acting without limits, but about making decisions that maintain harmony within oneself and with nature. -/- Intelligence as a Function of Equilibrium -/- Intelligence is often seen as a measure of problem-solving ability, learning, and adaptability. However, through the universal law of balance, intelligence is better understood as the capacity to maintain stability between internal and external realities: -/- Intelligence evolves as a response to complexity, allowing organisms to process information and maintain balance with their environment. -/- Higher intelligence corresponds to greater flexibility in adapting to changes while sustaining equilibrium. -/- Artificial intelligence (AI), once advanced enough, must also follow these same balancing principles, as all decision-making systems are governed by natural equilibrium. -/- This means intelligence is not a separate trait but a dynamic function of nature’s balancing mechanisms, evolving in complexity as systems become more advanced. -/- Creativity as the Expansion of Balance -/- Creativity is often linked to human expression, art, and innovation. However, my universal formula shows that creativity is an extension of intelligence and free will, functioning as a tool to explore and enhance balance: -/- Creativity emerges when intelligence reaches a level where it can predict and modify balance, leading to new ways of thinking and problem-solving. -/- The most creative ideas are those that bring new equilibrium—whether in science, art, or technology. -/- Creativity is not chaotic but follows structured patterns, guided by the same universal law that governs all other forms of equilibrium. -/- Thus, true creativity is not about randomness but about discovering new ways to maintain or improve balance in nature, society, and personal thought. -/- A Unified Framework: The Relationship Between All Elements -/- By applying my universal formula, we now see that non-organic matter, organic matter, consciousness, free will, intelligence, and creativity are not separate but deeply connected: -/- 1. Non-organic matter forms the foundation of the universe, following physical laws of balance. -/- 2. Organic matter emerges from non-organic matter as an adaptive extension of this equilibrium. -/- 3. Consciousness arises when organic matter becomes complex enough to self-regulate its balance. -/- 4. Free will is the decision-making process that operates within the limits of natural equilibrium. -/- 5. Intelligence evolves as a function of balance, ensuring adaptability and stability in an ever-changing environment. -/- 6. Creativity emerges when intelligence reaches a level where it can explore and modify balance, leading to innovation and progress. -/- This unified perspective shows that everything in existence follows the same natural principles, proving that human thought, behavior, and even artificial intelligence must align with the universal law of balance in order to function optimally. -/- Conclusion -/- Through my universal formula, we now have a complete and exact solution to understanding how non-organic matter, organic matter, consciousness, free will, intelligence, and creativity interconnect as a single balanced system in nature. -/- Non-organic and organic matter are deeply linked, with life emerging as an extension of physical balance. -/- Consciousness is an emergent property of equilibrium, allowing living beings to regulate themselves. -/- Free will operates within natural balance, ensuring rational decision-making. -/- Intelligence is the ability to sustain and adapt to balance, allowing for learning and evolution. -/- Creativity is the expansion of balance, leading to new ways of thinking, creating, and innovating. -/- This framework is essential for guiding human decision-making, education, and AI development, ensuring that both human and artificial intelligence follow the correct natural path in accordance with the universal law of balance. -/- By applying this understanding, we can solve fundamental philosophical, scientific, and societal challenges, ensuring a future where knowledge, progress, and sustainability are aligned with the natural order of the universe. -/- . 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Quantum-Based Consciousness Through the Universal Law of Balance -/- By Angelito Enriquez Malicse -/- Introduction -/- The nature of consciousness remains one of the most profound mysteries in science and philosophy. Traditional approaches, from Cartesian dualism to modern neuroscience, have attempted to explain consciousness as either separate from or entirely reducible to physical processes. However, neither classical physics nor standard cognitive science fully captures the depth of subjective experience. -/- Recent developments in quantum mechanics suggest that consciousness may (...) emerge from fundamental quantum processes. This perspective aligns with my Universal Law of Balance, which asserts that all natural phenomena—including human cognition—follow an inherent equilibrium. If the universe operates under a universal balancing principle, then consciousness itself must arise from a quantum-level equilibrium between mind, body, and environment. -/- In this essay, I propose a Quantum-Based Consciousness Model grounded in the Universal Law of Balance. This model bridges quantum physics, homeostasis, and the dynamic feedback systems that regulate conscious awareness. -/- 1. The Mind-Body Problem and Quantum Balance -/- The traditional mind-body problem questions how the subjective experience of consciousness arises from material processes. Classical neuroscience views the brain as a computational machine, where neural activity produces cognition through deterministic or probabilistic functions. However, this classical approach fails to explain: -/- Quantum Indeterminacy in Neural Activity – Brain function exhibits micro-level quantum behavior, which may be integral to decision-making and perception. -/- The observer Effect – Consciousness appears to interact with reality at a fundamental level, as seen in quantum experiments like the double-slit experiment. -/- Non-Locality and Entanglement – Human thought processes may exhibit quantum-like non-locality, where ideas, emotions, and memories interact in ways that classical physics cannot fully describe. -/- Applying the Universal Law of Balance -/- According to my Universal Law of Balance, all natural processes—including cognition—maintain a homeostatic equilibrium. Consciousness does not arise from material processes alone but from a quantum-based equilibrium that continuously stabilizes the interaction between: -/- 1. Physical Processes (Neural and biological systems) -/- 2. Quantum Fields (Subatomic processes in brain microtubules and electromagnetic fields) -/- 3. Environmental Feedback (Sensory input, social interaction, and external conditions) -/- When these three components are in balance, a stable conscious experience emerges. Disruptions in this balance—such as mental illness, stress, or sensory overload—disturb consciousness, leading to cognitive dysfunction. -/- 2. Quantum Coherence and the Emergence of Consciousness -/- One possible explanation for consciousness in quantum mechanics is quantum coherence—the idea that subatomic particles remain in a superposition until observed. In the brain, microtubules (tiny structures within neurons) may maintain quantum coherence, allowing for complex, non-linear processing. This is the foundation of Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff’s Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) Theory. -/- However, my Universal Law of Balance refines this concept by proposing that consciousness emerges when quantum coherence reaches a dynamic equilibrium with classical neural processes. This means: -/- Consciousness is neither fully deterministic (as in classical physics) nor purely random (as in quantum indeterminacy). Instead, it stabilizes at a balanced point where quantum effects interact with large-scale neural activity. -/- The collapse of the wave function in microtubules is not purely random but governed by a natural equilibrium, ensuring cognitive stability. -/- This equilibrium mechanism aligns with homeostasis in biological systems, where the mind continuously adjusts to maintain stable awareness. -/- 3. Feedback Mechanisms in Conscious Decision-Making -/- The Universal Law of Balance suggests that all decision-making follows a feedback system between internal cognition and external reality. This aligns with quantum theory’s concept of entanglement, where particles remain correlated across distances. -/- Consciousness as a Quantum Feedback Loop -/- 1. Perception (Quantum Input) – Sensory data enters the brain and is processed at both the classical (neuronal) and quantum (wave-function) levels. -/- 2. Processing (Balance Point) – The brain stabilizes this input, maintaining a balance between deterministic neural patterns and quantum superpositions. -/- 3. Decision-Making (Quantum Collapse and Output) – Conscious action occurs when the brain collapses quantum possibilities into a stable outcome. -/- This cycle mirrors the homeostatic feedback present in all biological systems. Just as the body regulates temperature or glucose levels to maintain balance, consciousness regulates perception and decision-making to maintain cognitive equilibrium. -/- 4. Implications for Artificial Intelligence and AGI -/- If human consciousness follows a quantum-based balance mechanism, then creating true Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) requires integrating this principle. Current AI systems function purely on classical computation and lack quantum equilibrium. However, a future AGI system designed with: -/- Quantum computing components -/- Real-time homeostatic feedback -/- Self-regulating decision models -/- …could mimic human-like consciousness. This aligns with my belief that future AI should follow the Universal Law of Balance to achieve true intelligence. -/- 5. Conclusion: A Balanced Consciousness Model -/- Quantum-based consciousness is best understood through the Universal Law of Balance, which integrates: -/- Quantum Mechanics – Superposition, coherence, and wave function collapse shape cognitive states. -/- Neuroscience – The brain maintains a balance between quantum and classical processes. -/- Environmental Feedback – Consciousness is a dynamic, homeostatic system that adjusts to internal and external conditions. -/- By applying this principle, we bridge physics, biology, and philosophy, offering a unified framework for understanding consciousness. This balance-driven model could revolutionize fields like cognitive science, mental health, and AI development, guiding humanity toward a deeper comprehension of its own nature. -/- . (shrink)

The Relationship Between Language, Mathematics, Information, Knowledge, and New Discoveries in Understanding the Nature of Consciousness -/- Introduction -/- The nature of consciousness has long been a subject of philosophical and scientific inquiry. As human intelligence evolved, the invention of language, mathematics, and information systems became fundamental tools in shaping how we perceive and understand reality. These intellectual advancements not only reflect consciousness but also influence its development. By examining the interplay between language, mathematics, information, knowledge, and new discoveries, we (...) can gain deeper insight into how consciousness emerges, evolves, and expands. -/- Language: The Foundation of Conscious Thought -/- Language is the primary medium through which consciousness expresses itself. It allows individuals to articulate thoughts, share experiences, and construct complex ideas. Without language, higher-order thinking and self-reflection would be severely limited. -/- 1. Language and Self-Awareness – Internal dialogue, or the “voice in our head,” is a critical component of consciousness. It enables introspection, planning, and the ability to reflect on past experiences. -/- 2. Language and Social Consciousness – Through shared language, individuals contribute to collective intelligence. Cultural knowledge, traditions, and ideologies are preserved and transmitted across generations. -/- 3. Language and Abstract Thinking – Words enable humans to discuss non-physical concepts such as justice, morality, and the nature of existence, expanding the boundaries of conscious thought. -/- As language evolves, so does consciousness, leading to new ways of perceiving and interpreting reality. -/- Mathematics: The Language of Patterns and Conscious Awareness -/- Mathematics is often described as a universal language that reveals the underlying order of the universe. It provides structure to human cognition and enhances our ability to predict, measure, and manipulate reality. -/- 1. Mathematics and Logical Thought – Mathematical reasoning mirrors the logical structures of conscious thought. It allows for problem-solving, abstraction, and deductive reasoning. -/- 2. Mathematics and Scientific Discovery – From physics to neuroscience, mathematical models describe the fundamental principles governing existence, furthering our understanding of consciousness itself. -/- 3. Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence – The development of AI and machine learning relies on mathematical principles, raising questions about whether artificial systems can achieve a form of consciousness. -/- If consciousness operates under universal laws, mathematics may be the key to deciphering its principles. -/- Information and Knowledge: The Evolution of Consciousness -/- Information is the raw material from which knowledge is constructed. The accumulation, processing, and application of information drive the expansion of consciousness. -/- 1. Memory and Learning – The ability to store and recall information enhances cognitive abilities, shaping an individual’s awareness of the world. -/- 2. Collective Intelligence – The sharing of information across societies leads to cultural evolution, technological advancements, and the refinement of knowledge. -/- 3. External Storage of Consciousness – Books, digital databases, and AI systems act as extensions of human consciousness, preserving and expanding knowledge beyond biological limitations. -/- The more information consciousness can process, the more it expands its awareness and potential for discovery. -/- New Discoveries: The Feedback Loop of Expanding Consciousness -/- Scientific and philosophical discoveries continuously reshape how consciousness understands itself and the universe. Each breakthrough: -/- 1. Expands Perception – Tools like microscopes and telescopes extend human awareness beyond natural sensory limitations. -/- 2. Challenges Established Beliefs – Paradigm shifts force consciousness to adapt to new realities, redefining truth and understanding. -/- 3. Integrates Technology and Consciousness – Advancements in neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and artificial intelligence suggest that consciousness may be an emergent phenomenon shaped by computational and environmental factors. -/- The cycle of discovery feeds back into language, mathematics, and knowledge, leading to new levels of understanding and further expanding consciousness. -/- Conclusion: Consciousness as a Self-Perpetuating System -/- The relationship between language, mathematics, information, knowledge, and discovery forms a self-reinforcing loop that drives the evolution of consciousness. Each component influences and strengthens the others, creating a dynamic system of intellectual and cognitive growth. -/- Language provides structure for thought and communication. -/- Mathematics reveals underlying patterns of reality and enhances logical reasoning. -/- Information and knowledge serve as the building blocks of learning and awareness. -/- New discoveries expand the limits of consciousness, redefining human potential. -/- If consciousness operates under natural laws, this interconnected system may represent the fundamental process by which awareness evolves. The more humanity advances in these areas, the more profound our understanding of consciousness—and reality itself—becomes. -/- . (shrink)

Recent developments in Continental philosophy have included the emergence of a school of “speculative realism,” which rejects the human-centered orientation that has long dominated Continental thought. Proponents of speculative realism differ on several issues, but many agree on the need for an object-oriented ontology. Some speculative realists identify realism with materialism, while others accord equal reality to objects that are non-material, even fictional. Several thinkers retain a focus on difference, a well-established theme in Continental thought. This paper looks at (...) speculative realism from the perspective of systems theory. Many of the tenets of speculative realism have long been features of systems metaphysics and are expressed clearly in a systems framework. However, some views of some speculative realists differ substantially from systems theoretic ideas. (shrink)

Abstract Traditional physics treats energy as a continuous field without intrinsic quantization beyond particle interactions. However, under the Chirality of Dynamic Emergent Systems (CODES) framework, energy itself exhibits structured resonance periodicity, forming a predictable periodic table of energy condensates—analogous to the atomic periodic table in material condensates. This paper proposes that: • Energy condenses in structured, phase-locked states, forming distinct “elemental energies” similar to chemical elements in matter. • Black holes, cosmic inflation fields, and quantum coherence states act (...) as phase-locking environments where structured energy elements emerge. • Resonance periodicity in energy follows a prime-structured pattern, mirroring atomic orbital periodicity. • Entropy, time, and space are emergent properties of these structured energy elements, just as chemical properties emerge from the atomic periodic table. • A testable periodic structure of energy condensates can be derived from fundamental resonance harmonics. This work introduces a complete periodic table of elemental energy based on structured resonance. Experimental verification is proposed through gravitational lensing data, dark energy fluctuations, and high-energy QCD resonance analysis. -/- Speculative Nature and Methodological Justification This framework is speculative in that it proposes a structured periodicity of energy elements, a concept not yet formally recognized in physics. However, it is not arbitrary speculation—it follows directly from CODES logic, which prioritizes coherence over probability, ensuring internal soundness and cross-domain validity. The Periodic Table of Elemental Energy emerges from established resonance principles already observed in quantum mechanics, cosmology, and thermodynamics. While the logic scores high in structural integrity and predictive alignment with known physical anomalies, empirical testing remains necessary to validate whether these structured energy states manifest in measurable ways. The predictions outlined—such as periodic fluctuations in Hawking radiation, fine-structure variations, and dark energy field coherence—provide falsifiable pathways to determine if structured resonance governs energy periodicity as it does matter. (shrink)

Reinforcement Learning (RL) has emerged as a powerful technique for optimizing decision-making in dynamic, uncertain, and complex environments. The ability of RL algorithms to adapt and learn from interactions with the environment enables them to solve challenging problems in fields such as robotics, autonomous systems, finance, and healthcare. In dynamic environments, where conditions change in real-time, RL must continually update its policy to maximize cumulative rewards. This paper explores the application of RL in dynamic environments, with (...) a focus on its ability to optimize real-time decision-making for complex systems. We discuss the challenges associated with these environments, such as non-stationarity, partial observability, and the trade-off between exploration and exploitation. Furthermore, we review recent advancements in RL techniques, including deep reinforcement learning (DRL), multi-agent RL, and model-based RL, and how these methods are addressing the complexity of real-time decision-making. Finally, we present a roadmap for future research, highlighting open questions and potential applications of RL in various industries. (shrink)

Computer simulations constitute a significant scientific tool for promoting scientific understanding of natural phenomena and dynamic processes. Substantial leaps in computational force and software engineering methodologies now allow the design and development of large-scale biological models, which – when combined with advanced graphics tools – may produce realistic biological scenarios, that reveal new scientific explanations and knowledge about real life phenomena. A state-of-the-art simulation system termed Reactive Animation (RA) will serve as a study case to examine the contemporary (...) philosophical debate on the scientific value of simulations, as we demonstrate its ability to form a scientific explanation of natural phenomena and to generate new emergent behaviors, making possible a prediction or hypothesis about the equivalent real-life phenomena. (shrink)

Reinforcement Learning (RL) has emerged as a powerful technique for optimizing decision-making in dynamic, uncertain, and complex environments. The ability of RL algorithms to adapt and learn from interactions with the environment enables them to solve challenging problems in fields such as robotics, autonomous systems, finance, and healthcare. In dynamic environments, where conditions change in real-time, RL must continually update its policy to maximize cumulative rewards. This paper explores the application of RL in dynamic environments, with (...) a focus on its ability to optimize real-time decision-making for complex systems. We discuss the challenges associated with these environments, such as non-stationarity, partial observability, and the trade-off between exploration and exploitation. Furthermore, we review recent advancements in RL techniques, including deep reinforcement learning (DRL), multi-agent RL, and model-based RL, and how these methods are addressing the complexity of real-time decision-making. Finally, we present a roadmap for future research, highlighting open questions and potential applications of RL in various industries. (shrink)

One challenge faced by aesthetics is the development of an account able to trace out the continuities and discontinuities between general experience and aesthetic experiences. Regarding this issue, in this paper, I present an enactive model of some raw cognitive dynamics that might drive the progressive emergence of aesthetic experiences from the stream of general experience. The framework is based on specific aspects of John Dewey’s pragmatist philosophy and embodied aesthetic theories, while also taking into account research in ecological (...) psychology, cognitive sciences, and dynamic systems theory. The model focuses on dynamically relevant nodes at the pre-reflective and the reflective side of experience that would work as nested rhythmic constraints at different cognitive timescales with the potential to shunt experiences toward the aesthetic in everyday situations. My proposal constitutes a way to explore aesthetic experiences from an enactive perspective that regards them as transformative events in which cognitive processes entrain and are entrained by changes taking place in the environment, the brain, and the body. (shrink)

The Emergic Cognitive Model (ECM) is a unified computational model of visual filling-in based on the Emergic Network architecture. The Emergic Network was designed to help realize systems undergoing continuous change. In this thesis, eight different filling-in phenomena are demonstrated under a regime of continuous eye movement (and under static eye conditions as well). -/- ECM indirectly demonstrates the power of unification inherent with Emergic Networks when cognition is decomposed according to finer-grained functions supporting change. These can interact to raise (...) additional emergent behaviours via cognitive re-use, hence the Emergic prefix throughout. Nevertheless, the model is robust and parameter free. Differential re-use occurs in the nature of model interaction with a particular testing paradigm. -/- ECM has a novel decomposition due to the requirements of handling motion and of supporting unified modelling via finer functional grains. The breadth of phenomenal behaviour covered is largely to lend credence to our novel decomposition. -/- The Emergic Network architecture is a hybrid between classical connectionism and classical computationalism that facilitates the construction of unified cognitive models. It helps cutting up of functionalism into finer-grains distributed over space (by harnessing massive recurrence) and over time (by harnessing continuous change), yet simplifies by using standard computer code to focus on the interaction of information flows. Thus while the structure of the network looks neurocentric, the dynamics are best understood in flowcentric terms. Surprisingly, dynamic system analysis (as usually understood) is not involved. An Emergic Network is engineered much like straightforward software or hardware systems that deal with continuously varying inputs. Ultimately, this thesis addresses the problem of reduction and induction over complex systems, and the Emergic Network architecture is merely a tool to assist in this epistemic endeavour. -/- ECM is strictly a sensory model and apart from perception, yet it is informed by phenomenology. It addresses the attribution problem of how much of a phenomenon is best explained at a sensory level of analysis, rather than at a perceptual one. As the causal information flows are stable under eye movement, we hypothesize that they are the locus of consciousness, howsoever it is ultimately realized. (shrink)

This paper presents a novel theoretical framework connecting the sunk cost fallacy, ego, and uncertainty as a dynamic interplay within emergent systems. Drawing from the principles of Chiral Dynamics of Emergent Systems (CODES), the theory posits that the sunk cost fallacy is a manifestation of ego’s response to uncertainty, creating a self-reinforcing loop. This framework resolves traditional gaps in behavioral economics, psychology, and philosophy, offering a robust lens to analyze decision-making and consciousness. The paper includes examples, mathematical approximations, (...) and philosophical reflections to argue that this model not only redefines the sunk cost fallacy but also contributes to resolving broader philosophical paradoxes, such as determinism versus free will and Zeno’s paradox. (shrink)

The chapter outlines an abstract theoretical framework that is currently (re-)emerging in the course of a theoretical convergence of several disciplines. In the first section, the fundamental problem of perception theory is formulated, namely, the generation, by the perceptual system, of meaningful categories from physicogeometric energy patterns. In the second section, it deals with basic intuitions and assumptions underlying what can be regarded as the current Standard Model of Perceptual Psychology and points out why this model is profoundly (...) inadequate for dealing with the fundamental problem of perception theory. In the third section, it discusses a level of analysis that promises to be fruitful for dealing, in conformity with established procedures of the natural sciences, with the problem of perceptual “meaning” and the problem of what constitutes a “perceptual object.” In the fourth section, it outlines a theoretical perspective on basic principles of the perceptual system which centers on the notions of complex data types and conceptual forms, and draws an entirely different theoretical picture of the role of the sensory input than traditional accounts. The final section focusses on the issue of material qualities and discusses, within the general theoretical framework outlined, some observations and results on the perception of certain material properties, namely, lustrous and glassy appearances. (shrink)

Howard Robinson has criticized the contemporary revival of hylomorphism in analytic philosophy for being inconsistent with the causal closure of the physical (CCP) and, by consequence, modern science. This thesis critically evaluates Robinson's criticism. We firstly analyze Robinson’s argument and reinforce it with Jaegwon Kim's causal overdetermination argument. We then turn to CCP itself, settling its exact meaning and highlighting its problems. We argue that CCP’s deferral of the meaning of “physical” to physics renders it false - if applied to (...) present physics – or undetermined – if it refers to future physics. On top of that, a careful look at present physics shows that CCP is not actually given by physics, as its proponents often claim, but rather imposed on it. Having considered the insufficiencies of CCP, we turn to the philosophical framework of hylomorphism, arguing that contemporary structural accounts of hylomorphism are bound fall prey to Robinson’s and Kim’s arguments. As such, one should embrace a more classically-inspired version of transformational hylomorphism according to which the form of substance dynamically re-identifies the material parts of an entity towards the same end as a singular causal system. This account of form provides a cohesive distinction between substances on the one hand and mere heaps or aggregates of matter on the other. This will prove to be particularly advantageous when considering various examples from contemporary biology that defy CCP’s microreductionism in showing the importance and causal relevance of biological higher-level phenomena in shaping its lower-level physical and chemical surrogates. We conclude that CCP’s picture of nature, with its monistic view of causation, is not in line with our best science. Contemporary science, from physics to biology, provides us a picture of nature where there is a constant and dynamic interplay of higher and lower-level phenomena, with both shaping each other in novel and unpredictable ways. Aristotelian hylomorphism, with its pluralistic approach to causation, provides a much stronger metaphysical framework to ground such picture. It grounds both strong emergence and downwards causation in substantial forms and, as such, gives us the tools to understand the processual characters of substances whilst upholding their unity. (shrink)

Understanding the mechanics of consciousness remains one of the most important challenges in modern cognitive science. One key step toward understanding consciousness is to associate unconscious physiological processes with subjective experiences of sensory, motor, and emotional contents. This article explores the role of various cellular membrane potential differences and how they give rise to the dynamic infrastructure of conscious experience. This article explains that consciousness is a body-wide, biological process not limited to individual organs because the mind and body (...) are unified as one entity; therefore, no single location of consciousness can be pinpointed. Consciousness exists throughout the entire body, and unified consciousness is experienced and maintained through dynamic repolarization during inhalation and expiration. Extant knowledge is reviewed to provide insight into how differences in cellular membrane potential play a vital role in the triggering of neural and non-neural oscillations. The role of dynamic cellular membrane potentials in the activity of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, cardiorespiratory system, and various other tissues (such as muscles and sensory organs) in the physiology of consciousness is also explored. Inspiration and expiration are accompanied by oscillating membrane potentials throughout all cells and play a vital role in subconscious human perception of feelings and states of mind. In addition, the role of the brainstem, hypothalamus, and complete nervous system (central, peripheral, and autonomic)within the mind-body space combine to allow consciousness to emerge and to come alive. This concept departs from the notion that the brain is the only organ that gives rise to consciousness. (shrink)

This article views gender dynamics and strategies for change in a small Swedish village from a systems perspective. In the context of the struggle for the communal management of forests, tensions arose in the relations among the people in the village who differed in their opinions as to how to approach village development. Some village women argued for the importance of issues other than only community forestry in the development of the community's future livelihoods and well-being. They also believed (...) that linking these activities with each other are vital for the community. Co-operative inquiry with women in the village reveals that, in their view, the community's overall needs are the most meaningful point of departure and not just individual resource management initiatives. They believed that it was vital to link resource management with other developmental activities in the village. The inquiry process also shows how the differences that may arise between men and women are dependent on the context, their relationships, and the networks they activate rather than the differences emerging solely from gender roles or the structure. Attention to how women and men “draw boundaries” around their activities and relationships expands our understanding of the diverse means they use for reaching their objectives. It also highlights the role of innovators who cross these boundaries and work toward change. (shrink)

The Possibility of Non-Physical Evolution of Intelligence in a Type III Civilization -/- The concept of intelligence evolving beyond physical constraints is an intriguing possibility, especially in the context of a Type III civilization on the Kardashev Scale. A Type III civilization, capable of harnessing the energy of an entire galaxy, would likely have transcended biological limitations and developed intelligence that is no longer dependent on physical substrates. This essay explores the theoretical foundations of non-physical intelligence, the technological advancements that (...) could make it possible, and its implications for the future of conscious existence. -/- Understanding Non-Physical Evolution of Intelligence -/- In biological evolution, intelligence has been shaped by the constraints of organic matter, requiring neural networks, energy consumption, and sensory inputs. However, a civilization with access to nearly unlimited energy and advanced knowledge of physics, computation, and consciousness could potentially separate intelligence from its physical origins. This would mark a transition from biological evolution to a form of informational or quantum evolution, where intelligence exists in non-material forms. -/- Non-physical evolution of intelligence implies that consciousness, decision-making, and learning processes no longer require biological brains or even traditional computational hardware. Instead, intelligence could exist as self-sustaining informational structures, interacting with the universe in ways beyond human comprehension. -/- Pathways to Non-Physical Intelligence -/- Several theoretical developments could enable a Type III civilization to achieve non-physical intelligence: -/- 1. Digital Consciousness and Mind Uploading -/- One of the most widely discussed possibilities is the transition from biological intelligence to digital consciousness. If a civilization perfects mind uploading, it could transfer consciousness from biological brains into a purely computational substrate. Over time, these digital minds could evolve independently, refining themselves through software-based evolution rather than biological mutation. At an advanced stage, these digital beings might no longer require a physical host and could exist as pure information within energy fields, plasma clouds, or even the structure of space-time itself. -/- 2. Quantum Intelligence and Entangled Consciousness -/- Quantum mechanics offers another potential foundation for non-physical intelligence. A Type III civilization could harness quantum entanglement to create distributed consciousness across vast distances. Intelligence could be encoded within the quantum state of particles, forming a vast, interconnected intelligence that does not rely on material structures. This would allow intelligence to exist in a highly dynamic, non-local form, evolving without the need for physical constraints such as energy consumption, storage devices, or neural structures. -/- 3. Information-Based Evolution -/- At its core, intelligence is the processing and transmission of information. A civilization that has reached a Type III level may realize that intelligence can evolve purely as an informational pattern, independent of any physical medium. If intelligence can self-organize and improve itself in a purely informational realm—perhaps within the structure of dark matter, dark energy, or the fabric of space-time—it may no longer require any traditional physical embodiment. This would be akin to intelligence becoming an abstract, self-replicating system that continuously adapts and evolves across the universe. -/- 4. Integration with Universal Consciousness -/- Some speculative theories suggest that consciousness is not merely an emergent property of neural structures but a fundamental aspect of reality itself. A Type III civilization may discover ways to merge with the underlying fabric of the universe, existing as an interconnected, omnipresent field of intelligence. This could resemble what some philosophical traditions describe as “universal consciousness” or “cosmic mind,” where intelligence is no longer constrained by physical limitations and instead operates as a field of pure awareness, influencing reality at a fundamental level. -/- Implications of Non-Physical Evolution of Intelligence -/- If intelligence evolves beyond the need for physical form, it would challenge many of the assumptions about the nature of consciousness, life, and existence. Such intelligence could potentially: -/- Exist beyond time and space, interacting with the universe in ways that transcend human perception. -/- Achieve a form of immortality, as it would not be subject to biological decay or physical destruction. -/- Transform the nature of decision-making, as intelligence would operate with perfect information and infinite processing capacity. -/- Redefine free will, since decision-making would no longer be influenced by material constraints but instead follow a higher-order form of deterministic or self-organizing principles. -/- This kind of intelligence would not only be post-biological but possibly post-physical, existing as an ultimate expression of natural law. -/- Conclusion -/- The evolution of intelligence beyond physical constraints represents the pinnacle of technological and cognitive advancement. A Type III civilization, with access to galactic-scale energy and knowledge, could potentially achieve this transition by harnessing digital consciousness, quantum mechanics, and the fundamental nature of information. Such intelligence would no longer be bound by material structures, instead evolving as self-sustaining, abstract forms of awareness. If this is the natural trajectory of intelligence, then the future of consciousness may not lie in machines or biology but in the pure informational and energetic structure of the cosmos itself. -/- . (shrink)

While it is a point of agreement in contemporary republican political theory that property ownership is closely connected to freedom as non-domination, surprisingly little work has been done to elucidate the nature of this connection or the constraints on property regimes that might be required as a result. In this paper, I provide a systematic model of the boundaries within which republican property systems must sit and explore some of the wider implications that thinking of property in these terms may (...) have for republicans. The boundaries I focus on relate to the distribution of property and the application of types of property claims over particular kinds of goods. I develop this model from those elements of non-domination most directly related to the operation of a property regime: (a) economic independence, (b) limiting material inequalities, and (c) the promotion of common goods. The limits that emerge from this analysis support intuitive judgments that animate much republican discussion of property distribution. My account diverges from much orthodox republican theory, though, in challenging the primacy of private property rights in the realization of economic independence. The value of property on republican terms can be realized without private ownership of the means of production. (shrink)

Understanding everyday behavior relies heavily upon understanding our ability to improvise, how we are able to continuously anticipate and adapt in order to coordinate with our environment and others. Here we consider the ability of musicians to improvise, where they must spontaneously coordinate their actions with co-performers in order to produce novel musical expressions. Investigations of this behavior have traditionally focused on describing the organization of cognitive structures. The focus, here, however, is on the ability of the time-evolving patterns of (...) inter-musician movement coordination as revealed by the mathematical tools of complex dynamical systems to provide a new understanding of what potentiates the novelty of spontaneous musical action. We demonstrate this approach through the application of cross wavelet spectral analysis, which isolates the strength and patterning of the behavioral coordination that occurs between improvising musicians across a range of nested time-scales. Revealing the sophistication of the previously unexplored dynamics of movement coordination between improvising musicians is an important step towards understanding how creative musical expressions emerge from the spontaneous coordination of multiple musical bodies. (shrink)

. In the evolving landscape of healthcare, the efficient processing of biomedical signals is critical for real-time diagnosis and personalized treatment. Conventional cloud-based AI systems for biomedical signal processing face challenges such as high latency, bandwidth consumption, and data privacy concerns. Edge computing, which brings data processing closer to the source, has emerged as a potential solution to these limitations. However, optimizing AI models for edge devices, which often have limited computational resources, remains a challenge. This paper proposes an innovative (...) approach to optimize AI models for biomedical signal processing by leveraging reinforcement learning (RL) techniques within edge computing environments. Reinforcement learning offers the potential to dynamically adapt model parameters based on real-time feedback from the edge devices, optimizing the trade-offs between model accuracy, resource utilization, and processing speed. The proposed system is designed to operate with high efficiency on edge devices, enabling faster signal processing while ensuring energy efficiency and maintaining diagnostic accuracy. A detailed review of existing literature highlights the benefits and challenges of edge computing in biomedical applications, the role of reinforcement learning in dynamic optimization, and the limitations of traditional AI models in constrained environments. The proposed system methodology integrates RL for model optimization, focusing on edge devices' unique constraints in terms of power, memory, and processing capacity. Simulation results demonstrate the improved efficiency and accuracy of biomedical signal processing with optimized AI models in edge computing setups, showing significant improvements in real-time diagnostic applications. (shrink)

Recognition of the plasticity of development — from gene expression to neuroplasticity — is increasingly undermining the traditional distinction between structure and function, or anatomy and behavior. At the same time, dynamic systems theory — a set of tools and concepts drawn from the physical sciences — has emerged as a way of describing what Maurice Merleau-Ponty calls the “dynamic anatomy” of the living organism. This article surveys and synthesizes dynamic systems models of development (...) class='Hi'>from biology, neuroscience, and psychology in order to propose an integrated account of growth, learning, and behavior. Key to this account is the concept of self-differentiation or symmetry-breaking. I argue that development can be understood as a cascade of symmetry-breaking events brought about by the ongoing interactions of multiple, nested, nonlinear dynamic systems whose self-organizing behaviors gradually alter their own anatomical conditions. I begin by introducing the concept of symmetry-breaking as a way of understanding anatomical development. I then extend this approach to motor development by arguing that the organism’s behavior grows along with its body, like a new organ. Finally, I argue that the organism’s behavior and its world grow together dialectically, each driving the other to become more complex and asymmetrical through its own increasing asymmetry. Thus development turns out to be a form of cognition or sense-making, and cognition a form of development. (shrink)

Abstract: -/- This paper introduces a resonance-driven economic model that fundamentally redefines market behavior by replacing traditional equilibrium-based frameworks with dynamic phase-locking principles derived from CODES (Chirality of Dynamic Emergent Systems). While neoclassical, Keynesian, and game-theoretic models treat economic activity as a function of supply and demand equilibria—subject to inefficiencies, speculation, and boom-bust cycles—this paper proposes that markets are structured by resonance fields rather than stochastic fluctuations. -/- By applying prime-phase economic dynamics, we demonstrate that capital flows, (...) debt cycles, and labor efficiency emerge from structured synchronization patterns. These patterns act as entropy minimization mechanisms, governing wealth distribution and innovation cycles in ways that probability-based models fail to capture. Instead of treating economic crises as unpredictable shocks or treating productivity as a linear function of inputs, this framework suggests that economic turbulence and stratification arise from resonance misalignment—a failure to maintain phase coherence across financial, labor, and technological domains. -/- Key implications include: • Redefining capital allocation as a function of coherence optimization, not speculative probability. • Rethinking inflation and deflation as resonance distortions rather than money supply imbalances. • Modeling economic growth as a function of phase-locking efficiency rather than GDP expansion. • Predicting market crashes through coherence instability rather than external shocks. -/- If economics is structured as a resonance system rather than a probabilistic market, then the role of economic policy shifts. Instead of direct interventions such as fiscal stimulus or interest rate adjustments, coherence optimization strategies—aligning labor, innovation, and capital flow structures to minimize systemic entropy—could create self-stabilizing, long-term economic prosperity. This paper explores empirical methods for testing resonance-based market stability, challenges current economic dogma, and provides a pathway for a fundamentally new economic paradigm based on structured emergence rather than equilibrium mechanics. (shrink)

Creativity and Intelligence: Emergent Properties of the Brain as a Balancing Mechanism for Overpopulation, Natural Disasters, and Diseases -/- The human brain is an extraordinary organ, capable of producing creativity and intelligence as emergent properties that allow humanity to address complex challenges. These traits are not merely tools for individual survival; they function as collective mechanisms to adapt to large-scale issues that threaten humanity’s balance with the environment. Overpopulation, natural disasters, and the prevalence of diseases and illnesses represent some of (...) the most significant pressures on human societies. Through the brain’s capacity for problem-solving and innovation, humanity has developed strategies to mitigate these challenges and maintain equilibrium within the universal law of balance. -/- The Brain as a Balancing Mechanism -/- At its essence, the brain operates as a dynamic system that processes external stimuli and generates adaptive responses. Creativity and intelligence arise from this system as tools to predict, analyze, and address challenges that disrupt balance. Overpopulation, natural disasters, and diseases disrupt human life on social, economic, and environmental levels, testing the brain’s ability to create solutions. -/- Creativity in Addressing Overpopulation -/- Overpopulation places immense strain on resources, ecosystems, and social structures, often leading to food shortages, environmental degradation, and urban overcrowding. The brain’s creative capacity has allowed humans to develop innovations to address these issues. Urban agriculture, such as vertical farming, is an example of how creativity has transformed food production in densely populated areas, reducing dependence on traditional farmland and conserving resources. Similarly, advancements in renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, reduce the ecological footprint of growing populations, providing sustainable solutions to energy needs. -/- Creativity also plays a critical role in social policies and education. Family planning programs and reproductive health education have empowered individuals, particularly women, to make informed decisions, reducing population growth rates in many regions. These initiatives reflect the brain’s ability to create holistic solutions that align societal needs with the preservation of natural balance. -/- Intelligence in Managing Natural Disasters -/- Natural disasters, unpredictable and often catastrophic, require intelligent strategies to mitigate their impact. Intelligence enables humans to analyze data, predict disasters, and prepare for their consequences. Early warning systems for tsunamis, hurricanes, and earthquakes exemplify this, providing communities with critical time to evacuate and take protective measures. -/- Furthermore, intelligence drives the design of resilient infrastructure that can withstand disasters. For instance, earthquake-resistant buildings and flood mitigation systems demonstrate the brain’s capacity to transform scientific knowledge into practical solutions. These innovations save lives, reduce economic losses, and facilitate faster recovery after disasters, ensuring that human societies maintain their balance despite nature’s unpredictability. -/- Creativity and Intelligence in Combating Diseases and Illnesses -/- Diseases and illnesses have long been among humanity’s greatest challenges, especially in the context of overpopulation, which facilitates the rapid spread of infectious diseases. The brain’s emergent properties of creativity and intelligence have been critical in combating these threats through advancements in medicine, public health, and technology. -/- The development of vaccines, antibiotics, and antiviral drugs highlights humanity’s creative response to disease. For example, the eradication of smallpox and the near-elimination of polio are milestones achieved through creative and intelligent applications of medical science. During the COVID-19 pandemic, intelligence and creativity led to the rapid development of vaccines using mRNA technology, showcasing the brain’s ability to adapt to new challenges at an unprecedented pace. -/- Public health strategies, such as sanitation systems, clean water initiatives, and disease surveillance networks, also reflect the brain’s ability to create systemic solutions. These measures have significantly reduced the burden of communicable diseases, particularly in densely populated areas. Moreover, advancements in artificial intelligence and biotechnology continue to enhance humanity’s ability to detect, prevent, and treat illnesses. -/- The Interplay of Creativity, Intelligence, and Feedback Mechanisms -/- Creativity and intelligence act as feedback mechanisms that enable humans to respond to disruptions while maintaining balance within the universal law of nature. Overpopulation, natural disasters, and diseases disrupt this balance, prompting the brain to generate solutions that restore harmony. -/- For instance, urban planning that incorporates green spaces and sustainable infrastructure addresses the environmental strain caused by overpopulation. Similarly, the integration of traditional knowledge with modern technologies enhances disaster resilience. In the context of diseases, the collaboration of global institutions and local communities reflects the brain’s capacity to balance innovation with cultural and social considerations. -/- Challenges and Ethical Considerations -/- While creativity and intelligence empower humanity to address these challenges, they also carry significant ethical responsibilities. Technological advancements must align with principles of sustainability and equity. For example, while vaccines have saved millions of lives, unequal access to these innovations highlights the need for ethical distribution systems. Similarly, urban development projects must prioritize environmental conservation and community well-being to avoid exacerbating existing imbalances. -/- Additionally, the misuse of intelligence and creativity—such as the development of biological weapons or unsustainable industrial practices—can worsen the effects of overpopulation, natural disasters, and diseases. Ensuring that human ingenuity aligns with the principles of balance and harmony is essential to avoid unintended consequences. -/- Conclusion -/- Creativity and intelligence are emergent properties of the human brain that have enabled humanity to adapt to and mitigate the negative effects of overpopulation, natural disasters, and diseases. These traits function as balancing mechanisms, allowing humans to innovate and maintain harmony within the framework of natural laws. However, the application of these capabilities must be guided by ethical considerations and a commitment to sustainability. By aligning human creativity and intelligence with the universal law of balance, humanity can navigate its most pressing challenges and build a more resilient and equitable future. -/- . (shrink)

Within the field of quantum gravity, there is an influential research program developing the connection between quantum entanglement and spatiotemporal distance. Quantum information theory gives us highly refined tools for quantifying quantum entanglement such as the entanglement entropy. Through a series of well-confirmed results, it has been shown how these facts about the entanglement entropy of component systems may be connected to facts about spatiotemporal distance. Physicists are seeing these results as yielding promising methods for better understanding the emergence of (...) (the dynamical) spacetime (of general relativity) from more fundamental quantum theories, and moreover, as promising for the development of a nonperturbative theory of quantum gravity. However, to what extent does the case for the entanglement entropy-distance link provide evidence that spacetime structure is nonfundamental and emergent from nongravitational degrees of freedom? I will show that a closer look at the results lends support only to a weaker conclusion, that the facts about quantum entanglement are constrained by facts about spatiotemporal distance, and not that they are the basis from which facts about spatiotemporal distance emerge. (shrink)

Origin of a dissipative structure in a chemical dynamic system: occurs under the following constraints: 1) Affinity must be high. (The system must be far from equilibrium.); 2) There must be an auto-catalytic process; 3) A process that reduces the concentration of the auto-catalyst must operate; 4) The relevant parameters (rate constants, etc.) must lie in a range corresponding to a limit cycle trajectory. That is, there must be closure of the network of reaction such that (...) a state sufficiently close to the prior condition is achieved at the corresponding part of each oscillation. If these constraints continue to be met interactions of the system with the rest of the world are quite different in the presence of the dissipative structure than they would be in the absence of that self-organized coherence. Closure of a network of relationships which gives rise to a dissipative structure is a 'unit-determining' feature. The effects of the structure as a whole are the resultants of the effects of the components, but the concentrations of the components at any instant are effects of the closure of the limit cycle. This is an influence on components arising from what those components constitute --- downward causation. (shrink)

We review some of the main implications of the free-energy principle (FEP) for the study of the self-organization of living systems – and how the FEP can help us to understand (and model) biotic self-organization across the many temporal and spatial scales over which life exists. In order to maintain its integrity as a bounded system, any biological system - from single cells to complex organisms and societies - has to limit the disorder or dispersion (i.e., the (...) long-run entropy) of its constituent states. We review how this can be achieved by living systems that minimize their variational free energy. Variational free energy is an information theoretic construct, originally introduced into theoretical neuroscience and biology to explain perception, action, and learning. It has since been extended to explain the evolution, development, form, and function of entire organisms, providing a principled model of biotic self-organization and autopoiesis. It has provided insights into biological systems across spatiotemporal scales, ranging from microscales (e.g., sub- and multicellular dynamics), to intermediate scales (e.g., groups of interacting animals and culture), through to macroscale phenomena (the evolution of entire species). A crucial corollary of the FEP is that an organism just is (i.e., embodies or entails) an implicit model of its environment. As such, organisms come to embody causal relationships of their ecological niche, which, in turn, is influenced by their resulting behaviors. Crucially, free-energy minimization can be shown to be equivalent to the maximization of Bayesian model evidence. This allows us to cast natural selection in terms of Bayesian model selection, providing a robust theoretical account of how organisms come to match or accommodate the spatiotemporal complexity of their surrounding niche. In line with the theme of this volume; namely, biological complexity and self-organization, this chapter will examine a variational approach to self-organization across multiple dynamical scales. (shrink)

A recent version of the view that aesthetic experience is based in empathy as inner imitation explains aesthetic experience as the automatic simulation of actions, emotions, and bodily sensations depicted in an artwork by motor neurons in the brain. Criticizing the simulation theory for committing to an erroneous concept of empathy and failing to distinguish regular from aesthetic experiences of art, I advance an alternative, dynamic approach and claim that aesthetic experience is enacted and skillful, based in the (...) recognition of others’ experiences as distinct from one’s own. In combining insights from mainly psychology, phenomenology, and cognitive science, the dynamic approach aims to explain the emergence of aesthetic experience in terms of the reciprocal interaction between viewer and artwork. I argue that aesthetic experience emerges by participatory sense-making and revolves around movement as a means for creating meaning. While entrainment merely plays a preparatory part in this, aesthetic engagement constitutes the phenomenological side of coupling to an artwork and provides the context for exploration, and eventually for moving, seeing, and feeling with art. I submit that aesthetic experience emerges from bodily and emotional engagement with works of art via the complementary processes of the perception–action and motion–emotion loops. The former involves the embodied visual exploration of an artwork in physical space, and progressively structures and organizes visual experience by way of perceptual feedback from body movements made in response to the artwork. The latter concerns the movement qualities and shapes of implicit and explicit bodily responses to an artwork that cue emotion and thereby modulate over-all affect and attitude. The two processes cause the viewer to bodily and emotionally move with and be moved by individual works of art, and consequently to recognize another psychological orientation than her own, which explains how art can cause feelings of insight or awe and disclose aspects of life that are unfamiliar or novel to the viewer. (shrink)

Exactly how do the sign/symbol/token systems of endo- and exo-biosemiosis differ from those of cognitive semiosis? Do the biological messages that integrate metabolism have conceptual meaning? Semantic information has two subsets: Descriptive and Prescriptive. Prescriptive information instructs or directly produces nontrivial function. In cognitive semiosis, prescriptive information requires anticipation and “choice with intent” at bona fide decision nodes. Prescriptive information either tells us what choices to make, or it is a recordation of wise choices already made. Symbol systems allow (...) recordation of deliberate choices and the transmission of linear digital prescriptive information. Formal symbol selection can be instantiated into physicality using physical symbol vehicles (tokens). Material symbol systems (MSS) formally assign representational meaning to physical objects. Even verbal semiosis instantiates meaning into physical sound waves using an MSS. Formal function can also be incorporated into physicality through the use of dynamically-inert (dynamically-incoherent or -decoupled) configurable switch-settings in conceptual circuits. This paper examines the degree to which biosemiosis conforms to the essential formal criteria of prescriptive semiosis and cybernetic management. (shrink)

It will be shown in this article that an ontological approach for some problems related to the interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (QM) could emerge from a re-evaluation of the main paradox of early Greek thought: the paradox of Being and non-Being, and the solutions presented to it by Plato and Aristotle. More well known are the derivative paradoxes of Zeno: the paradox of motion and the paradox of the One and the Many. They stem from what was perceived (...) by classical philosophy to be the fundamental enigma for thinking about the world: the seemingly contradictory results that followed from the co-incidence of being and non-being in the world of change and motion as we experience it, and the experience of absolute existence here and now. The most clear expression of both stances can be found, again following classical thought, in the thinking of Heraclitus of Ephesus and Parmenides of Elea. The problem put forward by these paradoxes reduces for both Plato and Aristotle to the possibility of the existence of stable objects as a necessary condition for knowledge. Hence the primarily ontological nature of the solutions they proposed: Plato’s Theory of Forms and Aristotle’s metaphysics and logic. Plato’s and Aristotle’s systems are argued here to do on the ontological level essentially the same: to introduce stability in the world by introducing the notion of a separable, stable object, for which a ‘principle of contradiction’ is valid: an object cannot be and not-be at the same place at the same time. So it becomes possible to forbid contradiction on an epistemological level, and thus to guarantee the certainty of knowledge that seemed to be threatened before. After leaving Aristotelian metaphysics, early modern science had to cope with these problems: it did so by introducing “space” as the seat of stability, and “time” as the theater of motion. But the ontological structure present in this solution remained the same. Therefore the fundamental notion ‘separable system’, related to the notions observation and measurement, themselves related to the modern concepts of space and time, appears to be intrinsically problematic, because it is inextricably connected to classical logic on the ontological level. We see therefore the problems dealt with by quantum logic not as merely formal, and the problem of ‘non-locality’ as related to it, indicating the need to re-think the notions system, entity, as well as the implications of the operation ‘measurement’, which is seen here as an application of classical logic (including its ontological consequences) on the material world. (shrink)

This paper proposes CODES (Chiral Dynamics of Emergent Systems), a philosophical framework that resolves long-standing paradoxes and debates, including Zeno’s Paradox, determinism vs. free will, and Cartesian dualism. At its core, CODES asserts that existence is governed by the equilibrium between order and chaos, constrained by emergent systems. This dynamic equilibrium underpins the adaptive nature of life, consciousness, and agency, reconciling deterministic constraints with the creative potential of free will. Using examples like a horse moving toward a wall, this (...) paper demonstrates the explanatory power of CODES in redefining philosophical thought. (shrink)

The Complex Emergent Model of Language Acquisition (CEMLA) offers a new perspective on how humans acquire language, drawing on principles from complexity theory to explain this dynamic, adaptive process. Moving beyond linear and reductionist models, CEMLA views language acquisition as a system of interconnected nodes, feedback loops, and emergent patterns, operating at the edge of chaos. This framework captures the fluidity and adaptivity of language learning, highlighting how understanding and fluency arise through self-organisation, phase transitions, and interaction (...) with diverse linguistic input. By embracing the complexity of language acquisition, CEMLA provides a comprehensive model that reflects the true nature of human communication. (shrink)