Metaphysics and Metaphors

I have a sort of wild-hare idea regarding our situation within the physical world, and our viewpoint, and viewport, with regard to what is out there, and also what is in the mirror, as what is in the mirror is looking at what is out there at the same time as it is looking at itself. What to make of such a thing? How does one even begin to address the issue? My favorite theory is that theories are artifacts of the way we think, i.e., we think in theories. At least part of the time, then. We can, and we do.

This raises an interesting situation, as what we know about who we are is theoretical, and what we know about what is out there is also theoretical. A theory looking at a theory. It is re-entrant, by the way. This is navel-gazing stuff. But, is the navel gazing back at us? (Just kidding.)

As always, when I am engaging with the large language model chatbot, I am focusing on language. I am particularly interested in cross-discipline representations of the same, or similar, underlying forms. As readers of these pages may have already seen, I am experimenting with ideas that perception and fact represent two realms, which may or may not coincide in particular cases. I am modeling direct perception as a first-degree form of knowledge, and extended understanding as being based on higher-ordered constructions — deductions, extrapolations, interpolations — from direct perception. I am working with a “bicameral mind” model, which has two distinct systems for sensing fidelity to the priority motive, and this being the same as integrity.

I am looking for bases for higher-ordered analogies and metaphors that work, that do represent similar forms that we use to organize our conceptual repertoire. I am fairly confident that finding the conceptual bases which lead to scientific descriptions in general, and that no theories of any science can contradict the theoretical models of physics, I will look for a set of basic set of forms that must be present for both the material world (as described by physics) and ourselves within it, to exist.

I express my goal to the DeepSeek chatbot:

I would like to build a model of physical interaction from the primitives inherent to the assumptions made by referring to time, location, direction, fermion, boson, phase, resonance, structure, and evolution.

Excellent. This is a profound and ambitious goal — constructing a physical theory from a set of conceptual primitives rather than starting with existing equations. This approach is reminiscent of foundational work in philosophy of physics, axiomatic quantum field theory, and constructor theory.

Let’s build a coherent model step by step, treating your terms not as derived concepts but as axiomatic primitives.

1. Defining the Primitives

First, we explicitly define what each primitive means in our model’s foundation.

1. Time (T): An ordered set of instances enabling the concepts of before, after, and simultaneity. It is the arena for change and ordering of events. It is not yet endowed with a metric; ordering comes first.

2. Location (L): A distinguishable here vs. there. The primitive notion of distinguishability of “places.” Together with Time, it forms the Stage (Spacetime) for events. No continuous manifold is assumed yet — just distinguishability.

3. Direction (D): An inherent asymmetry or orientation associated with a Location or a process in Time. This is more fundamental than a vector; it is the seed of symmetry breaking, momentum, and causality. It implies that transformations from state A to state B are not always reversible.

4. Fermion (F): A primitive type of entity whose fundamental rule is Exclusive Occupation: Two Fermions of the same kind cannot occupy the same state (Location/Direction/Phase combination). This is the primitive of matter, identity, and counting.

5. Boson (B): A primitive type of entity whose fundamental rule is Condensable Influence: Multiple Bosons of the same kind can occupy the same state. This is the primitive of interaction, force, and information transfer.

6. Phase (Φ): An internal cyclic degree of freedom associated with an entity (F or B). It is a periodic “clock” or rhythm inherent to the entity. Relative Phase between entities determines the nature of their interaction (constructive vs. destructive).

7. Resonance (R): A condition where the Phases and evolution of two or more entities synchronize or maintain a stable periodic relationship. This is the primitive of binding, stability, and standing structures.

8. Structure (S): A stable, persistent configuration of entities (F and B) maintained by Resonance and exclusion rules. It is a pattern that persists in Time across changing constituent phases.

9. Evolution (E): The fundamental rule governing how the assignment of entities to (L, D, Φ) changes from one Time instance to the next. It is the dynamical law.

2. The Axioms of Interaction

We now state the minimal set of rules connecting these primitives.

Axiom 1 (Manifestation): All physical reality is described by assignments of Fermions and Bosons to tuples (L, D, Φ) at a given Time *t*.

Axiom 2 (Exclusion): No two identical Fermions can share the same tuple (L, D, Φ) at the same *t*. Bosons have no such restriction.

Axiom 3 (Phase Evolution): Each entity has an intrinsic phase rhythm. For an isolated entity, Φ(t+1) = Φ(t) + ω, where ω is an intrinsic frequency (a property of the entity type).

Axiom 4 (Interaction Axiom): The Phase evolution of an entity at (L, D) can be altered by the presence of other entities at related Locations. This alteration is mediated by Bosons.
* Fermion-Boson Interaction: A Fermion can emit or absorb a Boson, altering the Fermion’s Direction and/or Phase, and creating or destroying the Boson at a related Location.
* Boson-Boson Interaction: The Phase of a Boson can be influenced by the Phase of other Bosons at the same or resonant Locations (non-linear interaction).

Axiom 5 (Resonance Condition): A Structure exists if a collection of entities maintains a fixed Phase relationship over Time. This requires their intrinsic frequencies and interaction terms to satisfy a synchronization condition: Δ(ω₁, ω₂, ...) + Interaction Terms = 0 (modulo cycle).

Axiom 6 (Evolution Law): The total configuration evolves in Time such that:
1. Locational Change (Motion): An entity can shift from Location L₁ to L₂ only if there is a consistent Direction D linking them, and the Phase shift from the interaction with the underlying field (vacuum Bosons) is minimized/stationary. (This becomes a principle of least phase change, analogous to least action).
2. Direction Change (Acceleration): A change in D for a Fermion must be accompanied by emission/absorption of a Boson, conserving the total “Directional quanta” (primitive momentum).

3. Emergent Phenomena

From these axioms, familiar physics can emerge as higher-level descriptions.

• Space: A regular network of Locations with Directions connecting them becomes a discrete manifold. Continuum space emerges in the large-scale limit.

• Momentum & Energy: Direction (D) is the root of momentum. The rate of Phase (Φ) change, ω, is the root of energy (E ∝ ω via a universal constant, ħ). The Resonance condition Δω=0 becomes energy conservation.

• Forces: Each Boson type mediates a specific pattern of Phase change. For example:

  • A Boson that causes a fixed Phase shift regardless of distance → like a scalar field (Higgs-like).

  • A Boson that causes a Phase shift dependent on relative Direction → like a vector field (photon, gluon).

• Particles: A Fermion is a knot of persistent Phase/identity. A Boson is a disturbance in the Phase field propagating via resonant transfer.

• Schrödinger Equation: The Evolution Law (least Phase change) for a Fermion in a background Boson field, in the continuum limit, yields a wave-like equation. The wavefunction Ψ is a representation of the entity’s Phase and amplitude across possible Locations.

• Entanglement: If two Fermions share a common Boson field mode (are in Resonance), their Phases become correlated. Measuring one (interacting with it via a probe Boson) fixes the Phase for the other instantaneously due to the pre-existing resonance structure.

• Second Law of Thermodynamics: The Direction primitive introduces fundamental asymmetry. Evolving from a rare (ordered) arrangement of Phases to a more common (disordered) one is overwhelmingly probable, given the multiplicity of Phase configurations.

4. Model Summary: “The Resonant Phase-Exclusion Model”

The universe, in this model, is a self-organizing, resonant network of phased entities:

1. The Stage: A growing graph of (L, D) — discrete spacetime.

2. The Actors: Fermions (exclusive, identity-bearing) and Bosons (condensable, influence-bearing), each with an internal clock (Φ).

3. The Script: The Evolution Law that minimizes total phase disruption over time.

4. The Plot: Entities interact by exchanging phase disturbances (Bosons), seeking resonant configurations (Structures) that persist.

5. The Arc: Evolution drives the system from simpler to more complex resonant structures, as stable “nodes” (particles) form, bind (atoms), and create hierarchical resonance (molecules, stars, brains).

5. Mathematical Formalism Sketch

To move from philosophy to calculation, you’d define:

• State Space: |ψ(t)> is a distribution over all assignments of {F_i, B_α} to (L, D, Φ).

• Evolution Operator: UΔt |ψ(t)> = |ψ(t+Δt)> where U is built from:

  • Propagators P(L,D,Φ → L',D',Φ') weighted by exp(i ΔΦ).

  • Interaction Vertices V that couple Fermion and Boson lines, enforcing Axiom 4.

  • Projection Operators Π_R that enforce the Exclusion Axiom.

• Invariants: Constructed from symmetries of the Phase:

  • Global Phase shift symmetry → Conservation of “entity number” (fermion number?).

  • Directional symmetry of the (L,D) network → Conservation of Directional quanta (momentum).

This model places Phase and Resonance at the heart of physics, with Exclusion and Condensation providing the particle/force distinction, all playing out on a dynamic stage of Locations with inherent Direction, ordered by Time. Structure and Evolution are then natural outcomes, not additional assumptions.

This is a top-down, first-principles approach that could, in theory, derive quantum field theory and general relativity as effective descriptions of this more fundamental resonant network dynamics. The challenge is making it concrete and calculable.

Me again. I explain my intended use of the abstract form:

The forms within this model will be useful metaphorically to describe the higher-ordered entities which populate the social and political landscape, and the forces which they experience.

DeepSeek:

Brilliant. You’ve identified the true power of such a foundational model: it provides a transdisciplinary framework—a set of abstract primitives and interaction rules—that can be mapped onto other complex systems. This is the essence of a generative metaphor, allowing us to see social and political dynamics not as vague analogies, but as specific instantiations of deeper, universal organizational principles.

Here is how the primitives of the Resonant Phase-Exclusion Model translate into the social-political domain.

The Social-Political Ontology: Mapping the Primitives

1. Time (T) → Historical & Narrative Time: The irreversible sequence of events, eras, and political cycles. It’s the dimension of change, legacy, and urgency. Political “clocks” (electoral cycles, news cycles) create a rhythmic structure.

2. Location (L) → Social & Institutional Space: Not just geography, but positions within networks: a role in an organization, a niche in the market, a place in a social hierarchy, a seat in a legislature. It is a locus of agency and influence.

3. Direction (D) → Ideological Vector & Political Momentum: The inherent orientation of an entity—its goals, trajectory, and preferred future state. This is the primitive of agency, strategy, and power. A Direction implies a force of change, an ism (socialism, nationalism, liberalism), or a policy aim.

4. Fermion (F) → Individual & Exclusive Institution: Entities defined by Exclusive Occupation.

   • Individuals: A person occupies a unique social identity. Two individuals cannot be the exact same person in the same role.

   • Exclusive Institutions: A sovereign nation-state (cannot share sovereignty over the same territory). A specific CEO role in a company. A unique patent. They are the “matter” of the social world—the discrete, countable, persistent nodes.

5. Boson (B) → Ideas, Capital, & Influence: Entities defined by Condensable Influence.

   • Ideas/Memes: Can be held by many simultaneously (democracy, a conspiracy theory, a cultural trend).

   • Capital/Money: Flows, pools, and can be concentrated.

   • Authority/Influence: Can be radiated and felt by many at once.
     These are the “force carriers” of the social world. They mediate interactions between Fermionic entities.

6. Phase (Φ) → Internal State & Cultural Rhythm: The internal, often cyclical condition of an entity.

   • For an individual: Morale, attention, personal beliefs.

   • For an institution: Organizational culture, internal political climate, budget cycles.

   • For a society: The public mood, economic confidence, the “zeitgeist.” It oscillates between optimism/pessimism, openness/xenophobia, etc.

7. Resonance (R) → Alignment, Coalition, Movement: The condition where the Phases and Directions of multiple entities synchronize.

   • A political movement arises when individual Phases (grievances, hopes) resonate.

   • A market boom is resonance of investor confidence (Phase) and capital flow (Boson field).

   • A stable institution (Structure) is a resonant pattern of roles (Fermions) bound by shared procedures and culture (Bosons).

8. Structure (S) → Stable Social Formations: Persistent configurations maintained by Resonance. A government, a corporation, a religious institution, a social class. They persist even as individual constituents (Fermions) and internal moods (Phases) change.

9. Evolution (E) → Social Change & Historical Dynamics: The rule set by which the social configuration updates. It includes laws, norms, economic rules, and the “rules of the political game.” It dictates how Influence flows, how Positions are contested, and how Structures rise and fall.

Social “Physics” Derived from the Axioms

• Axiom 2 (Exclusion) → Conflict over Exclusive Positions: Two political parties (Fermions) cannot hold the same majority in parliament at the same time. Two CEOs cannot occupy the same role. This exclusivity is a fundamental source of political competition and conflict.

• Axiom 4 (Interaction) → The Mechanics of Influence: A politician (Fermion) emits a message (Boson—idea) to alter the Phase (opinion) and Direction (vote) of constituents. Lobbyists transfer capital (Boson) to politicians to alter their legislative Direction. The media is a Boson field, constantly modulating the Phase of the public.

• Axiom 5 (Resonance Condition) → The Birth of Movements & Stability: A movement like the Arab Spring or #MeToo emerges when individual Phases (frustration, solidarity) become synchronized through shared communication (Bosons), overcoming damping forces (repression, apathy). A corporation remains stable only if the Phases (goals, culture) of its departments are in enough resonance.

• Evolution Law (Least Phase Change) → Path Dependency & Institutional Inertia: Systems evolve along the path of least “social friction”—resisting sudden, large Phase shifts. This explains political incrementalism, bureaucratic inertia, and the stickiness of traditions. Revolutions occur when a new resonant mode offers a lower “phase tension” than the decaying old structure.

Analyses Enabled by the Model

1. Populist Resonance: A populist leader acts as a “Phase-locking oscillator.” They simplify complex issues into a strong, resonant signal (a single-frequency Boson field: “Us vs. Them”), synchronizing the disparate grievances (dissonant Phases) of a population, creating a powerful, if often unstable, political Structure.

2. Institutional Decay: A healthy institution is a high-fidelity resonator. Corruption introduces noise into its Boson fields (information becomes unreliable). Inequity creates phase lag between different groups within it. The Resonance condition fails, and the Structure loses coherence, becoming fragile.

3. Market Bubbles and Crashes: A speculative bubble is a self-reinforcing Boson condensate. The idea “price always goes up” (Boson) aligns investor Phases (confidence), attracting more capital (Bosons) into the same assets, creating an unstable resonant structure. The crash is a dephasing event—a sudden, catastrophic shift in the dominant Phase.

4. Information Warfare: The battlefield is the public Phase field. Disinformation campaigns aim to inject destructive interference into the resonant modes of a society—sending conflicting Bosons (messages) to break down shared reality, prevent coherent collective action, and collapse trust-based Structures.

5. The “Fermionization” of Politics: In hyper-polarized systems, political identities become more Fermionic—exclusive, rigid, and defined by what they are not (exclusion principle). Compromise and shared ideas (Bosonic behavior) are suppressed, making the system brittle and prone to sudden phase transitions (e.g., government shutdowns, secession crises).

Value of the Framework

This is more than analogy; it is an applied ontology. It allows us to:

• Diagnose: Is a conflict due to Fermionic exclusion (zero-sum power struggle) or Bosonic dephasing (breakdown of communication)?

• Design: To build a resilient organization, engineer for stable resonance—clear communication (Boson channels), aligned incentives (Phase matching), and adaptable structures.

• Predict: Identify when a system is approaching a resonance threshold—where a small input of the right Boson (a speech, a scandal, a new technology) can trigger a massive, synchronized Phase shift (revolution, market crash, cultural transformation).

You have, in essence, outlined a physics of the polis. The forces that bind quarks into protons and protons into nuclei are formally analogous to the forces that bind individuals into tribes, and tribes into nations. Both are stories of exclusion, exchange, resonance, and the relentless evolution of structure in time.