Information and the Nature of Reality: From Physics to Metaphysics

Definitely interesting, although a little obscure at times, but worth a read for those searching for THE MEANING OF LIFE. Naturally, you wont get the answer here, but food for thought.

Don't be misled by the title. This is a book of mystical theology masquerading as science. The various authors repeatedly namedrop famous scientists and philosophers while hopelessly garbelling their ideas and concepts, all with the clear aim of promoting a quasi-religious ideology.

The most boring book I have tried to read in many years. Am a big fan of Paul Davies but this is a complete turkey. Couldn't finish it and, if you want to read my copy, it is in our local Oxfam shop

The anthology ''Information - and the Nature of Reality'' is a great read that takes the reader inside the struggle to understand what reality is all about. Do we live in a world decided by the mechanics of materialism, or do we live in a world where consciousness is actually primary?In one of many great articles in the book, contributor Philip Clayton gives us a brief outline of materialism - A theory in trouble due to Relativity theory, Quantum Mechanics etc.But mostly because a mechanical, perfect universe - intolerant of any disorder - would not carry much meaning...And after reading the book we do become convinced that there is indeed meaning in the universe...Consequently, in the end, we are lead to conclude that classical materialism - the view that reality consists of nothing but small, classical particles that live in an absolute space-time - is intellectually dead...Can we now make consciousness the only reality? Well, consciousness without the material world is still hard to envision. Human consciousness is of course fully embodied, living inside a material world. And when humans are conscious about something, it is usually about stuff in the material world (With mathematics and similar as one of the few possible exceptions). Human memories needs to be stored in a physical brain. Memories are not unembodied.We might not get any closer than this.Making sense of it all is pretty difficult... In the end, the information we see in the universe depends on the state of the receiver, of ourselves. A state which is determined by prior knowledge, expectations etc. In the end we find what we bring along?-Simon

In terms of classical physics, the physical reality may be defined as matter and energy behaving according to the laws of physics in classical spacetime, and the human being is a passive observer of this reality. Consciousness (and the freewill), which operates independently in classical world, determines the ultimate fate. According to quantum physics, matter and energy behave according to the laws of quantum physics in quantized spacetime, and the human observer is an integral part of this reality. Since quantum physics include consciousness as an integral part of its laws, it appears that reality may be pre-ordained with information and the free-will is limited to operating within its domain of quantum reality. In this edited book, the authors propose a fascinating hypothesis that emphasizes information as the primary source of nature, and it is passed on through the laws of physics. This book reviews physical and biological approaches to information and its philosophical and theological implications.The book starts splendidly with a great introduction to quantum physics and reality but ends in a chapter that claims resurrection of Jesus is supported by the laws of physics. Man-made religions are constructed on the concept of fear; the human being is judged by the morality set by human standards, and he is punished by God for his sin. This immorality of man and mercy of God are highly wired in all faiths. No real connection ever existed between any established religion and physics, and physicists should stay away from fabrication.Interpretations of quantum physics relates the actual world as rooted in a consciousness that conceives all possible states and actualizes some of them for a reason connected with the evaluation of such states by the consciousness (Many-world interpretation of quantum physics.) This generally results in one set of possible states that gives rise to a universe. We know that consciousness cannot exist without some form of material embodiment. The object of human consciousness is physical or at least sensory, but this may be due to the failure of imagination or human limitation. There may be many kinds of objects of consciousness. Non-physical objects such as mathematical realities and unactualized logical possibilities could be imagined and even experienced. The consciousness that evolved in three spatial dimensions can not comprehend four or higher spatial dimensions of other universes. The caveat is if the consciousness has all possible universes as its object, then it could be a part of all those universes, conversely, it may not be a part of any of them. For quantum physics, cosmic consciousness is a primary ontological reality and it is the supreme principle for constructing the universes and the ultimate ontological reality is information hidden in physics.The flow of information may also be seen in biological systems. All elementary processes of life are governed by information; the information stored in the genome of the organism is expressed by a process through which the genetic information is continually re-evaluated by permanent interactions with the physical environment to which it is exposed. In this way, the living organism is built up, step by step, into a hierarchically organized network of unmatched complexity. The fact that all phenomena of life are based upon information and communication is indeed the principal characteristic of living matter. Without the perpetual exchange of information at all levels of organization, no functional order in the living organism could be sustained. Natural selection and adaptation modulated the first primitive cells on this planet all the way into the human system.Keith Ward postulates that an ultimate informational system carried and transmitted by a cosmic mind. For quantum physicists consciousness in a universe is essentially involved in the actuality of that observable universe. But there is one cosmic consciousness that is essentially involved in the actuality of all observable universes. It carries complete information about all possible states and transmits informational code for the construction of this and all possible universes and the consciousness associated with each of them. This principle is called God Almighty, according Keith Ward. Incidentally, the chapter on "God has the ultimate informational principle" by Keith Ward and the introductory part of the book makes some of the best reading.