How Things Work: A Brief History of Reality
BOOK II: The Power of Three – #69. "Newton Vs. Einstein"
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Tuesday, February 7, 2023
“Gravity explains the motions of the planets but it cannot explain who sets the planets in motion.” – Isaac Newton
“Gravity is a response to geometry.” – Albert Einstein
PREFACE
Welcome Everybody!
Newton considered gravity to be a “force” pulling objects toward each other. Einstein considered gravity to be a “distortion” of space and time, or “space-time,” responsible for all movement in the universe. Newton concluded that gravity was directly related and dependent on the “mass” of an object. Einstein concluded that gravity was directly related and dependent on the “energy” of an object. Newton considered gravity to be a result of God’s influence in creating the universal “Laws of Nature.” Einstein considered gravity to be result of rational geometry. However, the key factor distinguishing the two theories of gravity was time.
“Newton’s Law of Gravity did not account for time; meaning that some things happened ‘instantly’ that could in fact, not happen instantly ‘in time.’”
Although Einstein considered time an “illusion” it was the illusion that was missing in Newton’s consideration of gravity. Newton’s Law of Gravity did not account for time; meaning that some things happened “instantly” that could in fact, not happen instantly “in time.” It seems ironic that the man most responsible for revealing time as an illusion, found it the most critical factor in obtaining a workable solution for the most enigmatic mystery of quantum science, gravity.
CONSIDERATION #69 – Newton vs. Einstein
Although Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity was extremely successful in predicting motion based on gravity, Einstein saw the missing element necessary for completing Newton’s concept: time. Newton had not considered a temporal factor in his formula. Having realized, and proven, time to be the fourth dimension of the universe, Einstein recognized the flaw; understanding Newton’s theory could not be complete without factoring in the fourth dimension of time.
“It was this ‘spooky action at a distance’ occurring ‘faster than the speed of light’ that eventually led Einstein to conclude that space and time (space-time) were bent and warped by gravity.”
Because there was no accommodation for time in Newton’s Law, changing any factor in the formula instantaneously caused the other factors in the formula to also change, to adjust for the original change of factor. The key word is instantaneously. If you have two objects, m1 and m2, and you change the mass of either, the force of gravity (Fg) would also have to change instantly. The same with other factors, such as distance (r). It was this “spooky action at a distance” occurring “faster than the speed of light” that eventually led Einstein to conclude that space and time (space-time) were bent and warped by gravity. This is the essence of General Relativity. Consider the following example.
“Einstein argued that ‘time’ would have to be taken into account, and that the planets closest to the sun would be affected by the loss of gravity first.”
We live in a solar system in which eight planets revolve around a central sun because of the force of gravity. The center of this gravity is the sun. We say that the sun holds the planets in their orbit through gravity. What would happen if we instantly removed the sun from the equation? According to Newton, all eight planets would immediately, simultaneously, spin off into space. However, Einstein argued that “time” would have to be taken into account, and that the planets closest to the sun would be affected by the loss of gravity first. If it takes time for light to travel through space, then it must also take time for gravity to “move” through space because nothing can move faster than the speed of light. We now know that Einstein was correct, although it can be a very difficult concept to grasp.
“…if we literally consider the fabric of space-time to be a stretchy kind of fabric, like spandex, we can start the process of comprehension.”
Although space is constituted by three dimensions, it can be considered flat when there are no objects with mass occupying it. Although an imperfect analogy, if we literally consider the fabric of space-time to be a stretchy kind of fabric, like spandex, we can start the process of comprehension. If we stretch this fabric over a mile area and place a bowling ball on it the ball will roll to the center of the fabric, stretching the fabric in the middle and creating a large dimple in the fabric which also results in a slight “downward” slope throughout the entire fabric. Now, everything else placed on the fabric will move toward the bowling ball unless it has equal, or greater, mass than the bowling ball. In which case it will create its own dimple and stay there. It has enough mass of its own so that it is not affected by the mass of the bowling ball.
“Although we ‘accept’ this explanation of reality as true, we seldom think about it, or what it means.”
Einstein’s consideration is so revolutionary, and counter-intuitive, that it can be difficult to understand what he is really saying. Gravity does not “pull” objects “into” each other. Objects, particularly objects of large mass, bend, or warp space-time. Objects are not “pulled” into other objects by gravity, objects “fall” into the “valleys” of space-time created by the gravity generated from other objects of more substantial mass, or energy. Although we “accept” this explanation of reality as true, we seldom think about it, or what it means.
“Gravity is why the universe works the way it does.”
When large objects “bend” and “warp” space and time, they bring “motion” into the universe. We often forget that one of the main points of Einstein’s General Relativity Theory is that Gravity is responsible for bringing motion into existence. Gravity is why the universe works the way it does. It is why the earth revolves around the sun, and the moon revolves around the earth.
POSTSCRIPT
In respect to Einstein’s proposition that gravity was a result of geometry Newton might have inquired, “And, where then, did the rational concepts and laws of geometry come from?” The ancient question of rationalists regarding the metaphysics of “a priori” knowledge and how it connects to a “rational” universe or reality. Empirical science had attempted to rid itself of such speculative theoretical considerations; however, Einstein’s revelations naturally shifted the inquiry into the universe from a consideration of “How things work,” to a consideration of “Why they work that way.”
“…the question related to ‘why’ something works the way it does is a rational question.”
The question related to “how” something works is an empirical inquiry. However, the question related to “why” something works the way it does is a rational question. A question that ultimately leads back to “purpose.” What is the purpose of “the universe” or “reality?” Inviting the kind of metaphysical questions science had worked so hard to eliminate from their empirical tradition of establishing truth.
“Einstein had opened a rational door in the scientific method that would reconnect science, philosophy, metaphysics, and theology to their original ancient roots…”
Knowingly or not, Einstein had opened a rational door in the scientific method that would reconnect science, philosophy, metaphysics, and theology to their original ancient roots in ways never conceived by Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Newton, or even Einstein himself. The questions related to “how” atoms work cannot be logically separated from the questions of “why” atoms work that way. Every advancement related to “how?” only leads to another question related to “why?” With the advent of “quantum theory” science was once again, becoming an abstract rational discipline of the mind.
“Who, or what, is the rationality ‘behind’ the reality we perceive as the universe?”
This type of questioning related to “why?” inevitably evolves into a question of “who?” or “what?” Who, or what, is the rationality “behind” the reality we perceive as the universe? There is no “why?” without the logical necessity for a “who?” or “what?” Why indicates “a reason” directly reflecting the rationality of “mind” or “consciousness.” For example, in terms of String Theory, “why do the strings of reality vibrate?” and “What, or Who, started the vibrations and keeps them vibrating now?” What is the essence of this “quantum consciousness” related to the subatomic world of reality? Why was there a “Big Bang?” Who, or what initiated it? These are not empirical questions.
Next week we begin to consider the “strange physics” once considered “metaphysics” that initiated the shift in science from an empirical to a rational discipline of investigation and inquiry…
Expand the Conversation by Upgrading to “Reality by a Thread!”
Excerpt from Tomorrow’s Untangling the Knots of Reality – Podcast #35: "Untangling Kant’s Notion of Freedom & Responsibility"
This Week on “The Thread”:
•Untangling the Knots of Reality Podcast: #35 "Untangling Kant’s Notion of Freedom & Responsibility " (“Immanuel Kant was the rationalist who consolidated the entire Enlightenment movement with his bold assertion, “Dare to know!” Have the courage to use your own knowledge and understanding to “reason” things out for yourself. Kant espoused that in nature people are free to essentially follow their own lead in making their way in the world. However, the institutions of Europe (Church and Crown) corrupted this natural state; causing people to become too weak, too lazy, and therefore too dependent on others because it was easier than having to think and act for themselves. According to Kant, the traditional power structures of Europe purposely kept the individual in a state of “nonage,” or dependent ignorance, making it almost impossible for them to move ahead independently on their own…” )
•Reality by a Thread Discussion Thread: Previewing Book V – Excerpt from “Unbalanced Rationalism” (“We, as human beings, have reached a point in our perception of Reality that has become more rational than we realize. The assumption that science is an “empirical” balance to rationalism is no longer true. With the advent of Relativity Theory, Quantum Mechanics, and String Theory, our “scientific” understanding of Reality has become essentially completely rational. Here’s How it Works....”)
•FREE PDF Download of Book IV: “The Cosmic Symphony – Overtones of String Theory” plus other Free Books, Discounts and Benefits.
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ENTANGLEMENTS 1-14 (The First 14 Podcasts)
These books are not designed to tell you what the truth about Reality is, only to help you consider and explore the long evolution of thought that has brought us to our present awareness. To elevate the conversation about the big picture in a thoughtful, reasonable, and respectful manner. Something not often encountered on today’s social media platforms. In a nutshell, I wrote these books to help us understand each other better, in addition to our individual and collective responsibility in creating the Reality that we now experience. And the Reality we want to experience in the future.
If you find yourself growing tired of the same old meaningless fluff, this may be the Podcast you’ve been looking for!
Podcast #1 – A Lot of Explaining
Podcast #2 – Untangling Mathematics & Metaphors
Podcast #3 – Untangling the Garden of Eden
Podcast #4 – Untangling The Physical World
Podcast #5 – Untangling the Five Senses
Podcast #6 – Untangling Eastern & Western Dualism
Podcast #7 – Untangling Zen & the Shaolin Temple
Podcast #8 – Untangling the Mystery of Taoism
Podcast #9 – Untangling The Noble Eightfold Path
Podcast #10 – Untangling Plato's Realm of Forms
Podcast #11 – Untangling Aristotle's Metaphysics
Podcast #12 – Untangling Happiness & Virtues
Podcast #13 – Untangling Self-Evident Truths
Podcast #14 – Untangling The Cosmic Symphony
“Untangling the Knots of Reality – Be A Part of the Conversation!”