Dear LizR, I argue against the block universe idea as well using quantum mechanics: positions and momenta cannot co-exist as definite states; a block universe must have all of its observables as mutually commuting so that they are all simultaneously definite. But let us ignore that and stipulate the block universe for the sake of the conversation. What we could see in the block universe, once we associate with it with the Hamiltonians or Lagrangians of the world tubes, is a *representation of action*. *It is not action itself*. A world or "reality" is not in my thinking a representation of something that does not exist. We can define observers as being representable per Bruno's definition, but that is half of what they are, not all of what they are. *For every representation there must exist at least one physical object and for every physical object there must exist at least one representation*. There are two Categories in play, not one. The 'magic' is that we can only see one or the other, that is the nature of the duality and, I suspect, why Bruno can not seem to understand my proposal.
On Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 8:42 PM, LizR <[email protected]> wrote: > On 24 January 2014 14:29, Stephen Paul King <[email protected]>wrote: > >> I do not see how what is by definition fixed and timeless can be >> considered to have any property that is an actual >> action<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_(physics)> >> . >> > > Following the supplied link gives this definition: > > In physics <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics>, *action* is an >> attribute of the >> dynamics<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamics_%28physics%29>of a physical >> system <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_system>. It is a mathematical >> functional <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_%28mathematics%29>which >> takes the >> trajectory <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trajectory>, also called *path*or >> *history*, of the system as its argument and has a real >> number<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_number>as its result. Generally, >> the action takes different values for different >> paths.[1]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_%28physics%29#cite_note-mcgraw1-1>Action >> has the >> dimensions <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimensional_analysis> of >> [energy] >> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy>ยท[time]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time>, >> and its SI unit <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SI_unit> is >> joule<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joule> >> -second <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second>. This is the same unit as >> that of angular momentum <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_momentum>. >> > > All the above can be calculated in a block universe (or, equivalently, for > an event that took place in the past). Hence something that is "by > definition fixed and timeless" (systems in a block universe) *can *indeed > "be considered to have any property that is an actual > action<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_%28physics%29>" > - specifically, they can have the property of action itself, as described! > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the > Google Groups "Everything List" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/topic/everything-list/TBc_y2MZV5c/unsubscribe. > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > -- Kindest Regards, Stephen Paul King Senior Researcher Mobile: (864) 567-3099 [email protected] http://www.provensecure.us/ "This message (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is non-public, proprietary, privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law or may be constituted as attorney work product. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, notify sender immediately and delete this message immediately." -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
