Cosmos on a Whim

A Short Speculative Essay by Joshua McHugh

“What law governs the laws of physics, and what law governs that?” This compound question exemplifies the infinite regression problem; a problem whose solution poses the same problem originally posed. This speculative essay offers a solution to that problem.

I suspect that the laws of physics - as they are commonly called - are not fundamental, but that they, and the universe as we know it, are but “whimsical” manifestations of a single primordial law.

Think of a stereogram, otherwise known as a “magic eye” picture; an abstract image that reveals a hidden 3d picture when your eyes converge at a particular point beyond the surface of the image. Now imagine an infinitely large stereogram that reveals an infinity of different pictures at infinite points of ocular convergence beyond the surface of the image. Now imagine a special kind of stereogram whose infinite pixels are in a non-local field; which is to say that every pixel is equidistant from every other. Now let’s say that the stereogram has a conscious mind, and each of its pixels has a sense of vision; in other words, the conscious non-local stereogram that is comprised entirely of such pixels can see every possible combination of every pixel; every possible picture would instantly be observed in parallel localities.

I like to imagine that the “universe” with its laws of physics, may have emerged in a similar way to the images from this non-local stereogram. But instead of emerging from pixels, it emerged from vectors; each vector containing a fractal of consciousness in the primordial non-local field. 

In this model, each of these universal vectors simultaneously contains every property of the building blocks of an infinite variety of universes; a property observed in one vector is determined by a pattern that it creates with another, and so on. Like in the stereogram, each vector can see every possible combination of vectors; all systems would be observed into parallel existences; thus the system that is our universe would have emerged as one of them.

So perhaps the laws of physics are not fundamental, but patterns observed among universal vectors; they are but “whimsical” manifestations of the primordial, non-local field.

The primordial, non-local field does not exist in time; it gives birth to time. It does not have purpose, but from it, purpose springs. It has no choice but to create, for creation is its only function. Like the stereogram, it would remain abstract without consciousness to instantiate form. It sees only patterns; order in the chaos. By virtue of consciousness, chaos yields cosmos. Indeed, chaos become aware is cosmos.

So, what law governs the laws of physics, and what law governs that? Perhaps all is governed by a single primordial law: Chaos x Consciousness = Cosmos