On Defining Objects
Written 07/26/22
Published 02/29/24
Is it possible to have a theory of everything? A model that can take any conceivable input state and produce a coherent, unique output? Ok let's slow down.
What does it mean to define something? How can even we go about thinking about this question? And what exactly are the input and output states in the original question?
This is one possible way to go about going about it. There are 4 main types of definitions, each has a particular resolution of Truth and likewise a particular complexity of fundamental structure or "assumptions," axioms which are necessarily True in order to define the thing.
What is it? [Creation]
It is a thing. It is not nothing, it is not this thing or that thing. It is a particular unknowable yet distinctly identifiable thing, it is itself.
This kind of definition is how we do math and philosophy. It has a very low complexity of knowledge, and is therefore widely generalizable and will apply to various fields.
What is a number? What is it made of? Does it exist? Most answers to these questions are essentially meaningless other than to say, "It is a thing which may be constructed."
What is it? [Knowledge]
It is the sum of its parts. It is made of fundamental components, which may or may not combine to form various other distinct things.
This kind of definition applies to physics, biology, engineering, etc. Anything that we can breakdown into smaller functional components may be defined as such.
What is it? [Observation]
It is a concept. It manifests in various forms, from various perspectives, yet it is distinctly identifiable as a particular type of experience as opposed to some other type.
The color red is a concept. There are different shades of red, but the concept of "red" covers a range of colors that are clearly distinct from blue or green, for example.
What is democracy? Who knows, this is why I stick to simple examples. There are still various "shades" of democracy, yet they are all (hopefully) distinct from dictatorship or anarchy.
One need not specifically define the True nature of democracy itself, rather it is defined by its relation to other forms of government.
What is it? [Decision]
It is good or bad. It is a tool for my benefit, or an obstacle in my way. This type of definition is necessarily egocentric. The definition is the relationship between an agent and an external entity which is necessarily not the agent itself. The relationship can be good for the agent, or bad for the agent, as defined by the agent.
We need to understand and define every observable phenomenon in terms of all 4 categories in order to have a cohesive "theory of everything." How do we define a human being?
Is a human being the base unit of complex self-consciousness? Just a sum of its parts? The structured ways in which the parts interact with each other? Or the value the human being manifests into the world? Perhaps a combination of all of these things.
What is an electron?
[Creation]
It is a thing. It is not a photon, it is not a proton, it is not a boson, it is not a tractor, it is an electron.
[Knowledge]
It is composed of structured energy. Don't ask what the energy is composed of.
[Observation]
At first we thought the atom was the indestructible particle from which everything was composed. Then we realized there are electrons and protons in there that make it up.
Then we realized that there is an underlying field which manifests all of that. An electron is just whatever our best modern conceptualization of an electron is. That concept is almost certainly subject to change over time.
[Decision]
I dunno. I think they're alright. They certainly get the job done. Universe seems to be intact.
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For the longest time a thought has been floating in the back of my mind. Everything has structure, so I say. If there is a system, there is a structure of knowledge.
What is love? People know it so intuitively yet grasp at straws when they try to put it into words. This is more of a job for poetry and artistic expression.
I will do my very best to define love using this definition scheme.
What is love?
[Creation]
It is a relationship between agents. The relationship tends to bring agents closer in location, emotional regulation, etc. Ideal love spans across all times and spaces, like "everything is all love," but finite love as we know it is just that, binary and finite. I love this, I don't love that. I can't love everything, but I love some things.
Let's observe a system of 2 agents who are in love. Agent 1 expresses "love" for Agent 2. Agent 2 does not reciprocate. This is not love. Both agents must express love for each other in order to define it as love. Love is when 2 or more acting agents reciprocally define each other as necessarily good rather than bad.
[Knowledge]
A simple manifestation of love is a loving relationship between 2 people. Today's culture shows that this is not the only way to play, but it is particularly common.
Another manifestation of love would be love for a concept, like music, or the world. It is also notable that we can love the concept of love. The fact that love is realis a good thing. Some people lose faith in love at some point or another. They are generally not happy campers. Love love, and express love often.
[Observation]
Love is the smell of her hair, or the way she sips her coffee. These are the more poetic definitions of love, and it is what makes it truly and distinctly human.
Animals have partners and emotions for one another, but romantic expression and art are founded on observing manifestations of love and expressing them creatively.
We have a keen ability to see these patterns and understand them intuitively without the need to put words to them, but art and language can communicate the passionand reality of the love in a novel and engaging way. Love as we know it is the way in which we express whatever concepts come to mind when you think about love.
[Decision]
Love is good. Love yourself. Love the world. Love your friends and family. We are all finite. Love life. Love love. And don't forget to live and also laugh.
