COSMOS AND CONSCIOUSNESS: Quantum Computers, SuperStrings, Programming, Egypt, Quarks, Mind Body Problem, and Turing Machines (Volume 2)
COSMOS AND CONSCIOUSNESS: Quantum Computers, SuperStrings, Programming, Egypt, Quarks, Mind Body Problem, and Turing Machines (Volume 2)
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Product Description
This is the Second Edition of Cosmos and Consciousness. There are three versions with identical content but different packaging: the version with ISBN 0972079513 is a compact 6 x 9 inch soft cover; the version with ISBN 0972079556 is a compact 6 x 9 inch hard cover; and the version with ISBN 0972079548 is a larger (7.5 x 9.25 inches) more attractive soft cover version. Click on the All Editions link to see the display of all the versions.
Cosmos and Consciousness presents a simple idea with potentially profound implications not only for Science but also for Philosophy. It develops a new foundation, at both a popular, and a technical level, for current fundamental theories of elementary particles, the Standard Model and SuperString Theory.
Both of these theories can be placed on a quantum computer language foundation. The idea: elementary particles such as electrons, quarks and so on can be viewed as the "letters" or symbols of a cosmic alphabet, or cosmic code, in a computer grammar (language). A new view of reality emerges from this perspective: the universe is one "tremendous" word. This new theoretical basis is consistent with all known physical experiments and theory.
Cosmos and Consciousness explores this challenging idea showing how fundamental physics theories can be based on quantum computer languages, and incidentally developing many new features of Quantum Computers. A Quantum Computer is a type of computer that is based on quantum mechanics. One of its most important features is that "computations" take place probabilistically. A quantum computation does not have one result or answer; there is a spectrum of results with each result having a certain quantum probability of being produced by the Quantum Computer. When two particles collide, as they do in particle accelerators, a "particle" Quantum Computer produces a spectrum of possible output particle states - each with its own probability of being produced.
The obvious analogy of "the universe as a word" to religious and philosophical concepts such as the "Word" leads to a comparison of this view with parallel ideas in these disciplines. It brings Science to a startling similarity with the religious concept of the Word - a concept that is not only Christian but is also prominent in Judaism, and was prominent even earlier in the Ancient Egyptian religion 5000 years ago.
With the universe reduced to a word - structured by the laws of physics - and matter reduced to symbols the book shows the insubstantiality of the universe in its most fundamental parts. Human Consciousness is similarly insubstantial. So
Cosmos and Consciousness then analyzes human Consciousness and shows it can be viewed as a classical probabilistic computer. A classical probabilistic computer is similar to a Quantum Computer with the main practical difference being that its probabilities are not quantum but classical in origin.
The author shows that the relation between consciousness and the brain is analogous to the relation of a personal computer Windows display and the computer's brain - the chips and electronics. The computer display normally shows no evidence of the electronics generating it just as consciousness shows no evidence of the brain electronics that it is based on.
The book develops "Personified Physics" - an extension of the conventional idea of the quantum mechanical observer to include other aspects of Consciousness such as Free Will. The result is a unified view of Man and the universe. Man (i.e. intelligent life) is implicit in the most fundamental laws of Physics.
Along the way many interesting side topics are explored such as communication with other semi-intelligent earth species, communication with aliens through Project SETI, the nature of communication and language, the origin of symbols such as the Egyptian ankh in natural phenomena, and the nature of physical theories.
The book has many parts that can be easily handled by the non-technical reader. One interesting chapter presents astronomical and archaeological data (obtained during the author's trip to Egypt) suggesting the ankh hieroglyphic may have originated in a giant Megacomet that appeared in the skies of Egypt between 7,000 and 10,000 years ago.
This book should be of interest to the layman, archaeologists, physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians, and students of Consciousness. The style is simple, clear, easy reading except for some technical chapters.
The book presents frontier results in a way that should appeal to many readers.
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Dr. Blaha’s book, Cosmos and Consciousness, is the first philosophical writing I have seen that bases its arguments on modern physics. Dr. Blaha’s understanding of quantum mechanics, general relativity theory, and linguistics from computer science provides an exciting framework on how to perceive the universe. He gives real meaning to how ancient beliefs came about, the relationship of observations to knowledge, and the expression of modern physics through language. He shows why the concepts of free will, a superstring quantum model of the cosmos, and a probabilistic computer model of consciousness are consistent with modern physics. Also, he presents this SuperString Quantum Computer Theory of the Cosmos and this Probabilistic Computer Theory of the Consciousness as what he refers to as “Personified Physics”, or Physics as the embodiment of people.
I found Dr. Blaha’s concept of the universe and man’s place in the universe consistent with what we know today. It leaves one feeling that we are naturally part of the universe and that consciousness should be a common phenomenon throughout the universe (that is, that other conscious beings would exist).
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I found this book hard to resist. The fundamental particles of matter are “letters” in a cosmic code or alphabet. The universe is a “word” extending from the Big Bang until the end of time. The fundamental theories of physics-the Standard Model and SuperStrings-can be viewed as a quantum computer language. The idea that the universe is a word resonates with philosophic and theological notions that God is the word-logos-that began in Ancient Egypt. Ankhs are symbols derived from an ancient comet over Egypt. Human consciousness can be viewed as a probabilistic computer. New types of quantum computers are explored.
The book overflows with exciting new ideas. The presentation is clear and easy to read. At times the book gets technically challenging-the author proves his points-not just vague verbal assertions without proof. This book is the only attempt that I am aware of that tries to present original new scientific ideas for the first tome together with a popular discussion of these ideas.
In addition to providing solid science, it is a significant contribution to the ongoing discussion of Science and Religion.
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I wanted to like this book – I really did. It brings up an ambitious thesis then barely pays it mind, opting instead to spend page after page on less interesting topics. Not internally coordinated at all, it seems more like a compilation of unrelated writings and less like a comprehensive approach to the subject. Back up Dr. Blaha, and try again!
Rating
The theme of Cosmos … is that language is the ultimate reality of the universe. To that end it shows the fundamental physical nature of the universe can be viewed as a Quantum Computer with a Quantum Computer language. (Both Superstring Theory and the Standard Model are candidates for this language.) It also shows the human mind can be viewed as a type of classical probabilistic computer. Thus it shows a similarity in the laws of mind and matter. Many pieces are assembled to support this unified view. It is not surprising that some will not see how the pieces fit together although it is clearly and repeatedly stated. Since the book also contains original, new research results this author felt it was necessary to describe them in some detail as a matter of intellectual honesty. These technical parts should be of interest to the popular reader as well as the scientist since it shows how physics is done. I can understand how some might view this as less interesting. Yet I feel that a semi-popular book that is both for the popular audience and the scientist is more worthwhile then pabulum books that oversimplify and avoid equations at any cost to make sales at the expense of educating the reader.