“A theory is the more impressive, the greater is the simplicity of its premises,
the more different kind of things it relates, and the more extended is its area of applicability”
Albert Einstein
ETERNISM is a modern-day system of thought that: Ties together a host of observational evidences otherwise unrelated Applies to countless features of the universe Is based on four simple premises 1 – The universe is made of elementary building blocks : the ETERNONS
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1 – A Universe of Eternons
About 500 B.C., early Greeks suggested that all in nature was made of identical tiny elements. They named these elements “atoms,” which mean “indivisible.” Atoms were minutely small, and all things and beings were the result of their assemblage.
The intuitive Greek thinkers had no laboratories to probe the infinitely small. They had reached their conclusion through mere philosophical deduction. Their theory of Atomism was so remote from the way we commonly experience the world, that it took twenty four centuries to be fully accepted.
Through the years, the Greek atom underwent major conceptual surgery. The most serious occurred when it was discovered that its own name was not deserved. This so-called “indivisible” atom was found to be made of electrons revolving, at a great distance, around a nucleus composed of protons and neutrons. The atom, once assumed to be the smallest of all things, had become a giant in relation to some of its parts. Thus, begun the investigation of subatomic particles.
For scientists used to the predictability of the macrocosm, the subatomic world was puzzling. It had an inexplicable dual nature: as particles, it formed tangible substances; as waves, it spread energy into space. In addition, whereas ordinary matter could easily be measured, elementary matter was elusive. Researchers had to deal with probability instead of certainty, an uncomfortable situation for objective science. A new theory was elaborated. It was named “the Quantum Theory,” after the quanta, the energy packets that atoms captured or emitted.
Modern quantum physicists have engaged into a complex journey toward absolute smallness. On their way, they have discovered many minute crumbs: electrons, protons, neutrons, positrons, photons, hadrons, leptons, mesons, pions, gluons and more. Yet, objective science has its limits. As they approach the true essence of matter, researchers have realized that the instruments they are using—in particular their own brain— are meddling with their findings.
Fortunately, just like it occurred to early Greeks and others after them, intuition and deduction suffice to unveil the ultimate building block of the universe: the Eternon.
2 – Eternons Are Energy
Energy comes from a Greek word meaning “work within.” Energy is an invisible and intangible ability to do work. Matter, on the other hand, forms our visible and tangible world, and has a mass. Actually, matter is mass. Fire taught early humans the close relation between matter and energy. The matter of the wood log would slowly vanish as it released warmth and light. Eventually, scientists ended up proving that matter and energy were forever conjoined: each one transmutable into the other.
The conversion of matter into energy has become routine. Atomic fire was in human hand only a few decades after Einstein had first enunciated Energy = Mass x C2, implying that prodigious energy was confined within the smallest mass.
The conversion of energy into matter is more abstruse. Simply stated, it supposes that impalpable forces can turn into something we may touch. It sounds like magic, but it is a magic that physicists have learned to perform. In long underground tunnels, giant accelerators launch particles against each other at nearly the speed of light. The collisions produce showers of subatomic sparks. Photographed, their intricate arabesques reveal matter being created and annihilated in cascading interactions. The equivalence of energy and mass, of force and matter, is witnessed in its wondrous splendor.
There is no doubt that “metaphysical” energies exist besides the ones uncovered and quantified by physical science. Plants and animals are receptive to fields that we cannot even detect. Organisms are affected by positive or negative vibrations from other organisms. Thoughts transcend the simple electrochemical activity of the brain.
Together, known and unknown energies amount to a single and universal “Eternon Energy”. Eternons are fractions, or quanta, of this energy.
- As quanta of physical energy, Eternons are particles of matter.
- As quanta of metaphysical energy, Eternons are waves of consciousness.
This naturally leads us to the next premise.
3 – Eternons Are Consciousness
| Eternism calls consciousness the ability of every Eternon to use the information memorized during its cosmic experiences. |
- Consciousness as integrated information is a fundamental property possessed by the entire Cosmos.
- Consciousness pervades the most simple physical system or structure.
- Consciousness is graded and rises with the accumulation of information.
- Consciousness may extend from the faintest embryo of information to full cosmic awareness.
- Consciousness grows together with perception, knowledge, intelligence, initiative, and responsibility.
If we toss a stick in the air, it always falls back to earth. If we kindle a fire, it always brings forth heat. Humans were prompt to realize that nature obeys certain rules. Before long, the successful application of such rules to the construction of dependable machines suggested that the whole universe was nothing but a huge mechanism. This led to an inaccurate, but still pervasive, vision of the world. On one side, matter: dumb and perfectly obedient to the great natural laws. On the other, spirit: intelligent and creative, though preferably reserved to humans who are so clever at dominating matter.
Adding to the misconception is the apparent passiveness of most things and beings. If we kick a stone or cut a flower, neither starts screaming nor tries to run away: they show no signs of feeling or reacting. Even particles tend to follow what we want them to do. When we turn on the light, electrons never disappoint us by refusing to flow in our wires. When we build refineries, molecules never fail us by suddenly producing water instead of gasoline.
We cannot, however, take for granted that matter is devoid of consciousness just because it behaves predictably. Nor may we conclude that consciousness is absent from most organisms just because we lack the proper senses or tools to discern it.
The truly compelling argument about the universality of consciousness is our own nature. We and everything else are made in exactly the same way from exactly the same stuff. A molecule of water within our blood is indistinguishable from a molecule of water within the ocean. Atoms within a cell of our body are identical to those within a cell of a plant. Particles strive in the same manner within our brain or within a rock.
Although there is no limit to our ability compared to that of a plant or a rock, we are not some kind of material receptacles into which consciousness has been poured. Consciousness exists deep within the fabric of us as it exists deep within the fabric of everything else. The astounding assembly that we are is a tribute to the expertise of our many trillion of cells, each cell itself a tribute to the expertise of its many molecules, and so forth. Our human consciousness merely sums up the consciousness of all the Eternons who form our own structure.
If we open our eyes, we can witness at every level the amazing faculties of matter:
- Its creative power, as it invents endless varieties of forms.
- Its intelligence, as it learns, analyses, and improves its designs.
- Its coherence, as it ensures communication and conjoined action throughout any structure.
Consciousness extends to all components of the universe; from stars to stones, from trees to grass, from whales to microbes. Just as Eternons are the matter and energy of the universe, they are its consciousness.
4 – Eternons Are Eternal
From the smallest to the largest, everything in the universe eventually decays and dies. Atoms are shattered in the cores of stars. Stars are consumed in the void of the cosmos. Together with minerals, plants, and animals, humans are decomposed in the lethal evolution of the Earth. Grandeur, beauty, or perfection are no shield against the regular degradation of all systems. Everywhere and constantly, dust is returning to dust.
As humans, we are well aware of the fragility of our physical existence. In an instant, our body may be reduced to a handful of ashes, or vaporized without a trace. We are shocked at the incoherence that lets such a sophisticated structure vanish as simply as a candle flame being blown out. What may be the purpose in putting together the most astounding creation, filling it with life, emotion and memories, if only to let it dissolve into nothingness?
Faced with this paradox, some desperately want to believe that a part of them, a something, survives their fading from this world. Others renounce to find an explanation for the great mystery of our existence and accept death as the end of it all. But there is no need to beg for survival or to fear annihilation. There is no reason to blame the universe for the manner it is built and operates. Why? Because there is no death, only change. Yes, everything turns into dust and ashes, but dust and ashes are alive.They are indestructible Eternons.
Particles decay. Atoms disintegrate. Molecules separate. Compounds decompose. Cells corrupt. Organisms crumble. Eternons, however, are the underlying permanence, the eternity in all things, and the eternity in us.
The universe evolves through the constant reshuffling of Eternons. Such reshuffling means the dissolution of the structures but the Eternons who composed it always survive this dissolution. Even in the core of the sun, where heat and pressure are beyond our comprehension, where atoms are stripped naked of their electrons, where matter and energy are transmuted, even there, Eternons are preserved. In Eternons, ultimate building blocks and everlasting quanta of energy, death is defeated.
To us, brief visitors in this world, this is a most comforting thought. Eternal life, of our soul if not of our body, was often promised but never explained. Eternism tells why we survive beyond our physical demise.
Mortals we are, but we are entirely made of eternity.
