Thoughts Probably Occur Outside Time and Space

This Sunday, I was trying to delve deeper into group theory and stumbled upon non-euclidean geometries. This made me question the validity of Euclidean geometries and ultimately question the very nature of existence itself. Here is a summary of my thought process:

I began my journey by contemplating something as seemingly straightforward as the Pythagorean theorem, a cornerstone of Euclidean geometry that describes a fundamental relationship between the sides of a right triangle. This theorem, $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$, is not just an isolated fact but rests on a bedrock of assumptions—axioms that define the nature of space, distance, and continuity. As I thought more deeply about these axioms, I realized that they are accepted as self-evident truths without empirical proof. This realization led me to a broader philosophical insight: all human understanding, whether in mathematics, science, or daily experience, is grounded in a certain level of faith. We must have faith in the continuity and consistency of the universe to make any sense of our experiences or knowledge.

As I reflected further, I recognized that this faith in continuity goes beyond merely trusting in the physical world around us. It is a profound trust in the very coherence and order of reality itself. If I need to believe that mathematical truths and natural laws remain constant and unchanging, then I am engaging in a type of faith that is not purely empirical but metaphysical. This faith is foundational, underlying not just my scientific or mathematical reasoning but my entire understanding of existence. It made me realize that there is a deeper connection between my mind and these timeless, abstract truths that seem to exist beyond the physical universe.

This realization led me to question whether part of my consciousness might also exist outside of time and space. If my mind can engage with eternal axioms—concepts that do not change regardless of when or where they are considered—does this suggest that some aspect of my being is also not confined to these physical dimensions? It seems plausible to consider that if I can comprehend truths that exist beyond the temporal and spatial constraints of our universe, perhaps there is a part of me that shares in this transcendent quality. This line of thought opened up the possibility of a soul or spirit, an aspect of myself that is not just a product of the physical world but something that connects me to a deeper, timeless reality.

Moreover, as I delved deeper into these reflections, I realized that it would make more sense for intelligence to exist in the realm outside time and space, rather than axioms alone. Axioms and mathematical truths are abstract and unchanging, but they lack consciousness, purpose, or intention. They exist as static truths, unaltered by the flow of time or the vastness of space. If only axioms existed beyond the physical realm, it would imply a cold, indifferent universe governed solely by impersonal laws and devoid of any guiding intelligence or purpose. This idea seems fundamentally unsatisfying and somewhat bleak, suggesting that our capacity for understanding and meaning is ultimately disconnected from the ultimate reality.

In contrast, the existence of intelligence or consciousness outside of time and space provides a more coherent and satisfying explanation for why we, as conscious beings, can engage with eternal truths and feel a deep connection to concepts like truth, beauty, and goodness. If a divine intelligence or soul exists in this timeless realm, it would explain why our minds can grasp these abstract concepts and why we have an innate sense of purpose and meaning that transcends our physical existence. This perspective suggests that intelligence and consciousness are not merely confined to our temporal, spatial reality but are reflections of a higher order—a divine reality that underlies all existence.

Thus, my contemplation of the Pythagorean theorem and the axioms of geometry led me to a profound realization: to understand and engage with the universe meaningfully, we must have faith in a coherent and consistent reality. This faith is not just in the physical world but in the very order of existence itself. If our intelligence allows us to understand eternal truths, it suggests that part of our being also exists outside time and space, aligning with a higher, divine intelligence that gives meaning and purpose to everything. In this view, faith in a self-consistent, immutable universe is not just a necessary assumption for knowledge but a reflection of a deeper reality—one that connects us to a greater, timeless existence beyond the physical world.