Notes

[Notebook: Transfinite field theory DB 56]

[Sunday 4 July 2004 - Saturday 10 July 2004]

Sunday 4 July 2004

[page 132]

Monday 5 July 2004

One way to express the Buddhist dream is to search for a continuum so that life is just one unbroken event or state, rather than the interrupt driven series of states which we actually experience. Already this morning I have been involved in many different jobs cups of tea and side issues to

[page 133]

the task in hand. So I have stopped a little to find a glue brush and to reflect in writing on the multifaceted, ramified, interrupt driven nature of momentary life. All these features fit a network model. I am constantly connecting and disconnecting from elements of my environment using some (like this pen) to act on others (this paper) to achieve a result, an expression, a work of art, act of action - doing something.

Since one cannot stop the world, the mind must adapt (through wisdom) to seeing the underlying unity beneath the network of communication. So my life is one, although day to day survival and the achievement of my chosen tasks involve me ultimately in the pure concrete detail of life, all united as part of the one in a theory of everything - the one process is made of many processes, and general process = [process]. The smallest cardinal class of process have the property of involving one physical quantum of action, represented by Planck's constant. Such minimal actions provide us with an alphabets of ℵ₀ distinct characters from which to build and understand the action of the whole.

Buddhists trying to bypass self are maybe having trouble with the logical paradoxes of size and self reference which were the subject of twentieth century logic and metamathematics.

. . .

We may conceive of the transfinite Network as a hierarchy (or lowerarchy) of search engines, each bearing an abstract model (weighed dictionary, eg) of the adjoining more complex layer.

Tuesday 6 July 2004

Wednesday 7 July 2004

[page 134]

The buildup of carbon dioxide may not be too bad, extending our interglacial and putting the planet into a higher productivity mode. But it is still worth thinking about as a proxy for energy consumption. And we observe that the physical world likes to minimize energy, and perhaps (unless we know a good reason to differ) we should do the same, increasingly using subtlety and complexity, rather than simple brutality, to achieve our goals (which themselves could possibly be more subtle and complex) Our own physiology can give us many clues about optimizing complex systems to achieve fitness with a minimum consumption of energy (and other resources). Energy, matter (embodied structure) and information (communication = unification = correlation) about our environment. With the right information, we can get the energy and the matter we need with minimum effort. This minimization is achieved by a) reducing our need for matter and energy and b) increasing the productivity of our means of acquiring the energy and matter (parts) that we need.

Thursday 8 July 2004

Friday 9 July 2004

Saturday 10 July 2004

Related sites

Concordat Watch

Revealing Vatican attempts to propagate its religion by international treaty

---

Copyright:

You may copy this material freely provided only that you quote fairly and provide a link (or reference) to your source.

---

Further reading

Books

Click on the "Amazon" link below each book entry to see details of a book (and possibly buy it!)

Barth, Karl, Church Dogmatics , T&T Clark Ltd 2005 'Product Description The most important theological work of the 20th century in a new edition! Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics is one of the major theological works of the 20th century. The Swiss-German theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) was the most original and significant Reformed theologian of the twentieth century. He was one of the central figures in the Confessing Church in Germany, which opposed the Nazi Regime. Barth began the Church Dogmatics in 1932 and continued working on its thirteen volumes until the end of his life. Barth's writings continue to guide and instruct the preaching and teaching of pastors and academics worldwide. The English translation was prepared by a team of scholars and edited by G. W. Bromiley and T. F. Torrance and published from 1936. A team of scholars and specialists at Princeton Theological Seminary have started revising the existing translation. The first step was the translation of Greek, Latin, Hebrew and French passages into English. The original is now presented alongside the English translation. This makes the work more reader friendly and accessible to the growing number of students who do not have a working knowledge of the ancient languages. This new edition with translations is presented for the first time in print. The new edition is presented in a new bigger format and broken down into 31 paperback volumes. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.'  Amazon   back

Cohen, Paul J, Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis, Benjamin/Cummings 1966-1980 Preface: 'The notes that follow are based on a course given at Harvard University, Spring 1965. The main objective was to give the proof of the independence of the continuum hypothesis [from the Zermelo-Fraenkel axioms for set theory with the axiom of choice included]. To keep the course as self contained as possible we included background materials in logic and axiomatic set theory as well as an account of Gödel's proof of the consistency of the continuum hypothesis. ..' (i)  Amazon   back

Dawkins, Richard, The Selfish Gene , Oxford UP 1976 Amazon: Editorial review: 'Inheriting the mantle of revolutionary biologist from Darwin, Watson, and Crick, Richard Dawkins forced an enormous change in the way we see ourselves and the world with the publication of The Selfish Gene. Suppose, instead of thinking about organisms using genes to reproduce themselves, as we had since Mendel's work was rediscovered, we turn it around and imagine that "our" genes build and maintain us in order to make more genes. That simple reversal seems to answer many puzzlers which had stumped scientists for years, and we haven't thought of evolution in the same way since.' Rob Lightner  Amazon   back

Denzinger, Henricus, and Adolphus Schoenmetzer, Enchiridion Symbolorum, Definitionum et Declarationum de Rebus Fidei et Morum, Herder 1963 Introduction: 'Dubium non est quin praeter s. Scripturam cuique theologo summe desiderandus sit etiam liber manualis quo contineantur edicta Magisterii ecclesiastici eaque saltem maioris momenti, et quo ope variorim indicum quaerenti aperiantur eorum materiae.' (3) 'There is no doubt that in addition to holy Scripture, every theologian also needs a handbook which contains at least the more important edicts of the Magisterium of the Church, indexed in a way which makes them easy to find.'back

Küng, Hans, Justification: The Docrine of Karl Barth and a Catholic Reflection , Thomas Nelson & Sons 1964 Jacket: 'No other work in English strikes so directly at the theological split between Catholic and classical Protestant Christianity as this book with which Hans Küng estrablished himself as one of the Catholic Church's leading and most able theologians. The point at issue here is the decisive question of the Protestant Reformation: In what circumstances may man be regarded as justified before God? . . . '  Amazon   back

Le Carre, John, The Russia House, Knopf; 0394577892 1989 Amazon Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly 'The master of the spy novel has discovered perestroika , and the genre may never be the same again . Le Carre's latest is both brilliantly up-to-date and cheeringly hopeful in a way readers of the Smiley books could never have anticipated. Barley Blair is a down-at-heels, jazz-loving London publisher who impresses a dissident Soviet physicist during a drunken evening at a Moscow Book Fair. When the physicist attempts to have Barley publish his insider's study of the chaotic state of Soviet defense, British intelligence steps in. Barley, after extensive vetting by both MI5 and the CIA, is made the go-between for further invaluable information, and in the process becomes involved with the physicist's former lover, Katya. The portraits of American and British intelligence agents are, as always, wonderfully acute, and the plot is a dazzling creation. Le Carre's Russia is funny and touching by turns but always convincing, and the love affair between Barley and Katya, subtly understated, is by far the warmest the author has created. But the singing quality of The Russia House , written at the height of le Carre's powers, is its pervading sense of the increasing waste and irrelevance of ongoing cold-war machinations: "That is . . the tragedy of great nations. So much talent bursting to be used, so much goodness longing to come out. Yet all so miserably spoken for that sometimes we could scarcely believe it was America speaking to us at all." Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.   Amazon   back

Miles, Jack, God : A Biography, Vintage Books 1996 Jacket: 'Jack Miles's remarkable work examines the hero of the Old Testament ... from his first appearance as Creator to his last as Ancient of Days. ... We see God torn by conflicting urges. To his own sorrow, he is by turns destructive and creative, vain and modest, subtle and naive, ruthless and tender, lawful and lawless, powerful yet powerless, omniscient and blind.'  Amazon   back

Nichols, Peter, The Pope's Divisions: The Roman Catholic Church Today, Henry Holt & Co ISBN-13: 978-0030475764 1984 Jacket: 'About eighteen percent of the world's population is Roman Catholic, and there is no bigger or more influential religious body that the Catholic Church. . . . Rome correspondent of The Times of London for more than twenty years, sympathetic to the Church although not himself a Catholic, Peter Nichols is closely familiar with the Curia and its functionaries and an absorbed observer of recent Popes and Papal elections. ... '  Amazon   back

Rossano, Matt, Superhatural Selection: How Religion Evolved, Oxford University Press 2010 Amazon Product Description 'In 2006, scientist Richard Dawkins published a blockbuster bestseller, The God Delusion. This atheist manifesto sparked a furious reaction from believers, who have responded with numerous books of their own. By pitting science against religion, however, this debate overlooks what science can tell us about religion. According to evolutionary psychologist Matt J. Rossano, what science reveals is that religion made us human. In Supernatural Selection, Rossano presents an evolutionary history of religion. Neither an apologist for religion nor a religion-basher, he draws together evidence from a wide range of disciplines to show the valuable--even essential--adaptive purpose served by systematic belief in the supernatural. The roots of religion stretch as far back as half a million years, when our ancestors developed the motor control to engage in social rituals--that is, to sing and dance together. Then, about 70,000 years ago, a global ecological crisis drove humanity to the edge of extinction. It forced the survivors to create new strategies for survival, and religious rituals were foremost among them. Fundamentally, Rossano writes, religion is a way for humans to relate to each other and the world around them--and, in the grim struggles of prehistory, it offered significant survival and reproductive advantages. It emerged as our ancestors' first health care system, and a critical part of that health care system was social support. Religious groups tended to be far more cohesive, which gave them a competitive advantage over non-religious groups, and enabled them to conquer the globe. Rather than focusing on one aspect of religion, as many theorists do, Rossano offers an all-encompassing approach that is rich with surprises, insights, and provocative conclusions.'  Amazon   back

Papers

Rees, Martin, "The Royal Society's Wider Role", Science, 328, 5986, 25 June 2010, page 1611. 'Martin Rees is Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, UK, and president of the Royal Society. The royal society is currently celebrating its 350th anniversary. In its earlier years, Christopher Wren, Robert Hooke, Robert Boyle, Samuel Pepys, and other "ingenious and curious gentlemen" met regularly in London. Their motto was to "accept nothing on authority." They did experiments, peered through newly invented telescopes and microscopes, and dissected weird animals. But, as well as indulging their curiosity, they were immersed in the practical agenda of their era: improving navigation, exploring the New World, and rebuilding London after the Great Fire of 1666. . . .'. back

Links

Anglican Church League The Thirty Nine Articles 'THE ARTICLES OF RELIGION Agreed upon by the Archbishops, Bishops, and the whole clergy of the Provinces of Canterbury and York, London, 1562 Article I Of Faith in the Holy Trinity There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. . . . ' back

Aquinas 1209 Whether those things that are of faith should be divided into certain articles ' On the contrary, Isidore says: "An article is a glimpse of Divine truth, tending thereto." Now we can only get a glimpse of Divine truth by way of analysis, since things which in God are one, are manifold in our intellect. Therefore matters of faith should be divided into articles.' back

Continuous function - Wikipedia Continuous function - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'In mathematics, a continuous function is a function for which, intuitively, small changes in the input result in small changes in the output. Otherwise, a function is said to be discontinuous. A continuous function with a continuous inverse function is called bicontinuous. An intuitive though imprecise (and inexact) idea of continuity is given by the common statement that a continuous function is a function whose graph can be drawn without lifting the chalk from the blackboard.' back

Cybernetics - Wikipedia Cybernetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'Cybernetics is the interdisciplinary study of the structure of regulatory systems. Cybernetics is closely related to control theory and systems theory. Both in its origins and in its evolution in the second-half of the 20th century, cybernetics is equally applicable to physical and social (that is, language-based) systems.' back

David H Petraeus & James F Amos Counterinsurgency Preface 'This field manual/Marine Corps warfighting publication establishes doctrine (fundamental principles) for mili- tary operations in a counterinsurgency (COIN) environment. It is based on lessons learned from previous coun- terinsurgencies and contemporary operations. It is also based on existing interim doctrine and doctrine recently developed. Counterinsurgency operations generally have been neglected in broader American military doctrine and na- tional security policies since the end of the Vietnam War over 30 years ago. This manual is designed to reverse that trend. It is also designed to merge traditional approaches to COIN with the realities of a new international arena shaped by technological advances, globalization, and the spread of extremist ideologies—some of them claiming the authority of a religious faith. ' back

Discrete mathematics - Wikipedia Discrete mathematics - Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia 'Discrete mathematics is the study of mathematical structures that are fundamentally discrete rather than continuous. In contrast to real numbers that have the property of varying "smoothly", the objects studied in discrete mathematics – such as integers, graphs, and statements in logic – do not vary smoothly in this way, but have distinct, separated values.[2] Discrete mathematics therefore excludes topics in "continuous mathematics" such as calculus and analysis.' back

Football Federation Australia Football Australia Home 'Football Federation Australia (FFA) is a member of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing body for football. Information regarding FIFA is available at www.fifa.com FFA is[also] a member of the Asian Football Confederation, having joined that body on 1 January 2006. Information regarding the Asian Football Confederation is available at www.the-afc.com FFA is the governing body for football in Australia. Therefore, FFA is responsible for governance of the game in Australia, ensuring the world’s most popular sport is conducted to the highest of standards and continuing the growth and development of the game. back

General covariance - Wikipedia General covariance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'In theoretical physics, general covariance (also known as diffeomorphism covariance or general invariance) is the invariance of the form of physical laws under arbitrary differentiable coordinate transformations. The essential idea is that coordinates do not exist a priori in nature, but are only artifices used in describing nature, and hence should play no role in the formulation of fundamental physical laws. A physical law expressed in a generally covariant fashion takes the same mathematical form in all coordinate systems, and is usually expressed in terms of tensor fields. The classical (non-quantum) theory of electrodynamics is one theory that has such a formulation.' back

George Smith Isaac Newton (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) First published Wed Dec 19, 2007 'Isaac Newton (1642–1727) is best known for having invented the calculus in the mid to late 1660s (most of a decade before Leibniz did so independently, and ultimately more influentially) and for having formulated the theory of universal gravity — the latter in his Principia, the single most important work in the transformation of early modern natural philosophy into modern physical science. Yet he also made major discoveries in optics beginning in the mid-1660s and reaching across four decades; and during the course of his 60 years of intense intellectual activity he put no less effort into chemical and alchemical research and into theology and biblical studies than he put into mathematics and physics.' back

Holy See Congregation for Bishops - Index back

Holy See Press Office Synod of Bishops 'During the work of Vatican Council II, the Fathers at the Council explored the idea (manifested in the Decrees Christus Dominus [N. 5] and Ad Gentes [N. 29]) of enlivening the true spirit of collegiality, that is to say the conviction that the Pope, in his work as Universal Shepherd of the Church, could exercise his union with the Bishops, Members of the same episcopal order as the Bishop of Rome, in a more obvious and efficient way. To achieve this, Pope Paul VI, in his Apostolic Letter "Motu proprio" Apostolica sollicitudo, dated September 15th 1965 (AAS 57 [1865] 775-780), created the Synod of Bishops for the entire Church, the fruit of conciliar experiences, determining the structure and the institutional task: «The Apostolic concern leading Us to carefully survey the signs of the times and to make every effort to adapt the means and methods of the holy apostolate to the changing circumstances and need of our day, impels Us to establish even closer ties with the bishops in order to strengthen Our union with them "whom the Holy Spirit has placed [...] to rule the Church of God" (Acts 20:28)' back

John Palmer Zeno of Elea (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) 'Zeno of Elea, 5th c. B.C. thinker, is known exclusively for propounding a number of ingenious paradoxes. The most famous of these purport to show that motion is impossible by bringing to light apparent or latent contradictions in ordinary assumptions regarding its occurrence. Zeno also argued against the commonsense assumption that there are many things by showing in various ways how it, too, leads to contradiction.' back

John Palmer Parmenides (Standord Encyclopedia of Philosophy) First published Fri Feb 8, 2008 'Parmenides of Elea, active in the earlier part of the 5th c. BCE., authored a difficult metaphysical poem that has earned him a reputation as early Greek philosophy's most profound and challenging thinker. His philosophical stance has typically been understood as at once extremely paradoxical and yet crucial for the broader development of Greek natural philosophy and metaphysics. He has been seen as a metaphysical monist (of one stripe or another) who so challenged the naïve cosmological theories of his predecessors that his major successors among the Presocratics were all driven to develop more sophisticated physical theories in response to his arguments.' back

JohnPaul II Ordinatio Sacerdotalis: Apotolic Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone. 'When the question of the ordination of women arose in the Anglican Communion, Pope Paul VI, out of fidelity to his office of safeguarding the Apostolic Tradition, and also with a view to removing a new obstacle placed in the way of Christian unity, reminded Anglicans of the position of the Catholic Church: "She holds that it is not admissible to ordain women to the priesthood, for very fundamental reasons. These reasons include: the example recorded in the Sacred Scriptures of Christ choosing his Apostles only from among men; the constant practice of the Church, which has imitated Christ in choosing only men; and her living teaching authority which has consistently held that the exclusion of women from the priesthood is in accordance with God's plan for his Church." back

LLL Media Group, Inc Tantra * Kama Sutra * Tantric Sex 'Like meditation and yoga, Tantric sex is a spiritual practice. It is not aimed at self-indulgence or pleasure as an end in itself. Tantra uses sexual energy, with all of its rawness, social stigma, fear, and vulnerability to crack open our egos so that we can be present with our lovers, and ultimately, with ourselves.' back

Mach's principle - Wikipedia Mach's principle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'In theoretical physics, particularly in discussions of gravitation theories, Mach's principle (or Mach's conjecture[1]) is the name given by Einstein to an imprecise hypothesis often credited to the physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach. The idea is that the local motion of a rotating reference frame is determined by the large scale distribution of matter, as exemplified by this anecdote: You are standing in a field looking at the stars. Your arms are resting freely at your side, and you see that the distant stars are not moving. Now start spinning. The stars are whirling around you and your arms are pulled away from your body. Why should your arms be pulled away when the stars are whirling? Why should they be dangling freely when the stars don't move?' back

Mariology of the popes - Wikipedia Mariology of the popes - Wikipedia 'The Mariology of the popes is the theological study of the influence that the popes have had on the development, formulation and transformation of the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrines and devotions relating to Mary, the Mother of God. The growth path of Mariology over the centuries has been influenced by a number of forces and factors, among which papal directives and decisions have often represented key milestones. Throughout history, popes have highlighted the link between Mary and the full acceptance of Jesus Christ as son of God.' back

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance Alliance Online 'The Alliance is the union and professional organisation which covers everyone in the media, entertainment, sports and arts industries. Our 30,000 members include people working in TV, radio, theatre & film, entertainment venues, recreation grounds, journalists, actors, dancers, sportspeople, cartoonists, photographers, orchestral & opera performers as well as people working in public relations, advertising, book publishing & website production ...in fact everyone who works in the industries that inform or entertain Australians.' back

Noosphere - Wikipedia Noosphere - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'Noosphere (pronounced /ˈnoʊ.ɵsfɪər/; sometimes noösphere), according to the thought of Vladimir Vernadsky and Teilhard de Chardin, denotes the "sphere of human thought". The word is derived from the Greek νοῦς (nous "mind") + σφαῖρα (sphaira "sphere"), in lexical analogy to "atmosphere" and "biosphere".' back

Parmenides - Wikipedia Parmenides - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'Parmenides of Elea (early 5th century BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher born in Elea, a Greek city on the southern coast of Italy. He was the founder of the Eleatic school of philosophy, his only known work is a poem which has survived only in fragmentary form. In it, Parmenides describes two views of reality. In the Way of Truth, he explained how reality is one; change is impossible; and existence is timeless, uniform, and unchanging. In the Way of Opinion, he explained the world of appearances, which is false and deceitful. These thoughts strongly influenced Plato, and through him, the whole of western philosophy.' back

Pius XII Mystici Corporis Christi 'Venerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. The doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church,[1] was first taught us by the Redeemer Himself. Illustrating as it does the great and inestimable privilege of our intimate union with so exalted a Head, this doctrine by its sublime dignity invites all those who are drawn by the Holy Spirit to study it, and gives them, in the truths of which it proposes to the mind, a strong incentive to the performance of such good works as are conformable to its teaching. For this reason, We deem it fitting to speak to you on this subject through this Encyclical Letter, developing and explaining above all, those points which concern the Church Militant. To this We are urged not only by the surpassing grandeur of the subject but also by the circumstances of the present time.' back

Richard Kraut Plato (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) First published Sat Mar 20, 2004; substantive revision Thu Sep 17, 2009 'Plato (429–347 B.C.E.) is, by any reckoning, one of the most dazzling writers in the Western literary tradition and one of the most penetrating, wide-ranging, and influential authors in the history of philosophy. . . . Few other authors in the history of philosophy approximate him in depth and range: perhaps only Aristotle (who studied with him), Aquinas, and Kant would be generally agreed to be of the same rank.' back

Royal Society - Wikipedia Royal Society - Wikipedia 'The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence.[1] Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London". The Society was initially an extension of the "Invisible College", with the founders intending it to be a place of research and discussion. The Society today acts as a scientific advisor to the British government, receiving a parliamentary grant-in-aid. The Society acts as the UK's Academy of Sciences, and funds research fellowships and scientific start-up companies.' back

Statistical mechanics - Wikipedia Statistical mechanics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'Statistical mechanics (or statistical thermodynamics is the application of probability theory, which includes mathematical tools for dealing with large populations, to the field of mechanics, which is concerned with the motion of particles or objects when subjected to a force. . . . The essential problem in statistical thermodynamics is to determine the distribution of a given amount of energy E over N identical systems. The goal of statistical thermodynamics is to understand and to interpret the measurable macroscopic properties of materials in terms of the properties of their constituent particles and the interactions between them. This is done by connecting thermodynamic functions to quantum-mechanic equations. Two central quantities in statistical thermodynamics are the Boltzmann factor and the partition function.' back

The T & T Clark Blog: KarlBarth's Church Dogmatics - The Revised Edition 'We are happy to announce the publication of the revised edtion of Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics. The newly revised and digitized edition is the result of a close co-operation between Princeton Theological Seminary and T&T Clark Publishers. The Church Dogmatics is arguably the greatest theological work of the twentieth century. This exciting development will make it possible for the first time to query and search the nearly 8,000 pages of the Church Dogmatics and will result in the publication of a new 31 volume paperback edition by T&T Clark in 2008' back

University of Paris - Wikipedia University of Paris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'The University of Paris (French: Université de Paris) was founded in the mid 11th century, and officially recognized as a university likely between 1160 and 1170 (or possibly as early as 1150).[1] After many changes including a century of suspension (1793-1896), it ceased to exist in 1970 and 13 autonomous universities (University of Paris I–XIII) were created on its remains. back