Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 59 (9164 total)
5 online now:
Newest Member: ChatGPT
Post Volume: Total: 916,929 Year: 4,186/9,624 Month: 1,057/974 Week: 16/368 Day: 16/11 Hour: 4/1


EvC Forum ⇒ Side Orders ⇒ Coffee House ⇒

Dimensional Discourse

Thread ▼ Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   Dimensional Discourse
2ice_baked_taters
Member (Idle past 5882 days)
Posts: 566
From: Boulder Junction WI.
Joined: 02-16-2006

Normal Thread Display
Message 58 of 71 (321090)
06-13-2006 11:44 AM

I attempted to start a thread that directly applies to this one. I was led here by Mr. Ad-Mooseus- thank you sir.
​
I have scanned this thread and see what I believe to be a repeated mistake. All discussion thus far attempts to think of a fourth or greater dimension in terms of direction. This may be the limiting factor. I would like to have you consider that the process of thought is not limited to the three dimensions discussed. We opperate on a daily basis in a realm we could never express in three dimensions. Language seems to be the best tool. Our minds work on a level or levels far beyond what math can express. I am thinking to understand the fourth dimension is to leave the chains of math behind. To attempt to express it with math would be like a group of monkeys playing Bach with used car parts. To concieve and accept a greater dimension means you must stop attempting to fit it into 3 dimensional boxes.
Replies to this message:
 Message 59 by Scrutinizer, posted 06-14-2006 9:36 PM 2ice_baked_taters has replied
  
2ice_baked_taters
Member (Idle past 5882 days)
Posts: 566
From: Boulder Junction WI.
Joined: 02-16-2006

Normal Thread Display
Message 62 of 71 (322115)
06-16-2006 4:28 AM 		Reply to: Message 59 by Scrutinizer
06-14-2006 9:36 PM

However, although we may use many abstract dimensions in our thought processes, most people cannot form a mental picture of anything with more than three physical dimensions. In other words, we may use many dimensions more than four to think, but we still cannot visualize higher dimensions, in the sense of mutually perpendicular directions.
​
Again, as others have...you assume direction is applicable.
Did it ever occur to you that visualization is intrinsic to 3 dimensions? To think of visualization limits you. Did it ever occur to you that a fourth dimension may be beyond physical? All we know to be physical lies in our 3 dimensional world. I do find it curious that many discuss 4th or greater dimensions with seriousness as if they exist and many of the same people have a real problem with any other similarly non provable myths.
This message is a reply to:
 Message 59 by Scrutinizer, posted 06-14-2006 9:36 PM Scrutinizer has replied
Replies to this message:
 Message 63 by Scrutinizer, posted 06-16-2006 5:51 PM 2ice_baked_taters has replied
  
2ice_baked_taters
Member (Idle past 5882 days)
Posts: 566
From: Boulder Junction WI.
Joined: 02-16-2006

Normal Thread Display
Message 64 of 71 (322489)
06-17-2006 2:51 AM 		Reply to: Message 63 by Scrutinizer
06-16-2006 5:51 PM

Again, a macroscopic fourth spatial dimension probably doesn't exist, but a theoretical fourth dimension certainly has its applications.
​
Yes I would have to agree with you. A new way to see things often offers us something of value. A fresh perspective. It is far to often though, that a fourth or greater dimension is discussed as if there is such a thing.
This message is a reply to:
 Message 63 by Scrutinizer, posted 06-16-2006 5:51 PM Scrutinizer has not replied
  
2ice_baked_taters
Member (Idle past 5882 days)
Posts: 566
From: Boulder Junction WI.
Joined: 02-16-2006

Normal Thread Display
Message 70 of 71 (323111)
06-19-2006 4:28 AM

Direction may have nothing to do with it. The concept of direction is a 3d concept.
  
2ice_baked_taters
Member (Idle past 5882 days)
Posts: 566
From: Boulder Junction WI.
Joined: 02-16-2006

Normal Thread Display
Message 71 of 71 (338908)
08-10-2006 9:17 AM 		Reply to: Message 59 by Scrutinizer
06-14-2006 9:36 PM

However, although we may use many abstract dimensions in our thought processes, most people cannot form a mental picture of anything with more than three physical dimensions. In other words, we may use many dimensions more than four to think, but we still cannot visualize higher dimensions, in the sense of mutually perpendicular directions.
​
You have limited yourself to understanding a higher dimension with only one of the five senses. You are assuming that a higher dimension involves a physical direction. An idea is not a physical direction.
​
I will have to disagree with you on this point. Math is a very useful tool, especially in dealing with dimensions beyond human comprehension. Certainly it's more interesting to try to visualize higher dimensions than to represent them with mathematical formulas, as true visualization would give us a more intuitive grasp of higher dimensions. But if we use math, we can at least put ourselves on the right track to understanding them, especially since we need math in order to simulate them.
​
I did not say that math was not a usefull tool. Just not in this instance. Again you go on the assumption that a higher dimension has physical direction and that it can be visualized.
I am saying we experience a higher dimension already. We just do not see it for what it is.
This message is a reply to:
 Message 59 by Scrutinizer, posted 06-14-2006 9:36 PM Scrutinizer has not replied
  
Date format: mm-dd-yyyy
Timezone: ET (US)
  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024