Zero-Center Theory
The answer to the question (in bold) and the argument against his analogy came almost instantaneously. I had scarcely finished reading the challenge when the answer became apparent; thoughts seeming to flood from nowhere in a rush of ideas and concepts. Perhaps it is a bit self serving (and at the very least, somewhat subjective) to suggest the experience was as if I was visually watching an idea download into my consciousness. Again, I freely admit that my description of this event is a subjective one, and perhaps self-serving as I firmly believe in the God of Christianity and my description seems to suggest His hand in it. I do not refute that this is my belief but I respect the right of the skeptic to dismiss it or otherwise not regard it. It simply is my recollection of how things transpired.
I believe there to be truth to be discerned in this philosophical treatise. Perhaps some will see direct proof, some will see indirect proof, some will see inferences regarded as truth, and some will see none of the above. To my recollection (and to my tenuous grasp of the history of philosophy) no new idea is exempt from diverse interpretation and evaluation. It is simply “the way of things” and thus it will be with this. I shudder to say that I personally offer this treatise (in so far as, I am loathe to claim it as my knowledge) but for whatever it is worth, I offer this for your consideration. Feel free to embrace or disregard as you see fit. My personal stake in all this was simply to see it published. I suspect others may read and perhaps see insights that escaped me, while others may read and see holes that I did not cover; both such efforts are welcomed.
THE QUESTION
Getting back to the original question, what’s being asked is (paraphrasing), my opponents argument seems fairly straight forward right? We live, after all in a finite world; and in that world everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. However brief, or however protracted, everything begins and ends. Nothing tangible stretches on forever. So his point was not so much that there wasn’t some supreme power, but that the Christian representation of it was false, because it invoked inherently finite attributes to God that should be infinite. His argument suggested that any conversation about a supreme being would require an unbounded framework. To illustrate that such a framework wasn’t merely conjecture or philosophical bloviation, he directed attention to numbers. And he was correct in noting that, numbers, as a collection, are infinite. And if we agreed that numbers were real (i.e that they existed and weren’t just some theoretical concept) then it is proof that the infinite doesn’t have bounds, so anything that was reported to be the beginning or the end, could not be infinite, and thus not be a supreme being.
I concur with the assessment that numbers are real, in fact my argument (to some degree) depends on it. I too believe that the number analogy could be used to have a finite discussion and conceptualization of an infinite concept. Where I differed from my friend is that I believe a beginning or an end is not mutually exclusive with concept of infinite numbers; particularly when the beginning IS the end. Let us begin with some back drop.
COUNTERBALANCE
For your consideration: though there are an infinite number of numbers one thing is true of them all - they all have what I will now refer to as a counterbalance; meaning an equal but opposite number. This should not seem out of the ordinary as examples of counter balance exist (at least philosophically) in everyday life; light and dark, hot and cold, male and female. For numbers however this concept is made possible by virtue of the idea of additive inverses. Whether we are considering real, complex, imaginary, rational or irrational numbers, they all have an equal an opposite counterbalance. For 21 there is -21, for -3/8 there is positive 3/8, for Pi (i.e. 3.1415926535) there is also -Pi.
THE NUMBER LINE
Consider also a number line that extends from negative infinity (-∞) to positive infinity (+∞)
If you move along a number line, there is a point just before negative numbers begin, AND a point just before negative numbers end. If one arbitrarily starts at, say, -7 and begins traveling towards positive 7 the negative numbers must end at some point. Similarly if one begins arbitrarily at positive 7 heading towards negative -7 the negative numbers must begin at some point.
The same example leads to similar conclusions looking at it from the perspective of positive numbers. Positive numbers have to begin somewhere, and they have to end somewhere. So, yes, even in an infinite environment, it can be demonstrated, there still must be a beginning and an end. What is that number upon which the concept of additive inverse is based? What number neither exists as positive or negative? What is the beginning and what is the end? What number has no counterbalance? I submit to you that the answer to all these questions is zero.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DISTINCTION
Zero could be considered the foundation for every number. Consider: Every number is itself, relative to zero. For example, what we call 5 is not merely 5 but 5 relative to its position to zero. Apart from zero, one cannot truly define what the quantity 5 is - whereas conversely, zero defines itself and is relative to itself.
How else is zero distinguished from other numbers, let’s examine. Divide it, and it remains zero. Multiply it, it is still not altered. Go from base-10 to base-4 framework, zero is still zero. Raise it to the third power, it remains unchanged. Take its square root it is unaffected.
-In physical space, only one coordinate point is the same point on every axis - we refer to it as the origin, (0,0,0); different planes but the same point.
COMING FULL CIRCLE
Having made the above observations what is there to discern? I submit the following for your consideration:
Zero has no counter balance; it has no opposite counterpart of equal magnitude. It is simply zero.
An examination of the Bible reveals another entity that is without peers or rivals:
Exodus 8:9 …And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.
Exodus 9:13 …For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
Deuteronomy 4:33 …Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.
Deuteronomy 4:39 …Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
1 Samuel 2:2 …There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
1 Kings 8:59 …That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
1 Chronicles 17:20 …O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
Psalms 86:8 …Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
Isaiah 43:10 …Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he:before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
Isaiah 44:6 …Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
Isaiah 45:5 …I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:14 …Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
Isaiah 45:18 …For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:20 …and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 46:9 …Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Jeremiah 10:6 …Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
Daniel 3:28 …Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
Joel 2:27 …And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Mark 12:28 …And the scribe said unto him [Jesus], Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
1 Corinthians 8:4 …As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
Zero is simultaneously the beginning and end
Who else do we know is both the beginning and the end?
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 21:6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
(Since all numbers converge on and diverge from zero it is truly the foundation for every number.)
Who else do we know set the foundation for everything?
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
1 Samuel 2:8 ...for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.
Job 38 1:6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Every number is itself, relative to zero.
Relative to Whom do we measure and gauge all of existence?
Isaiah 55:8-9 ...For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
zero defines itself and is relative to itself
Who else do we know is not defined by anyone or anything else but Himself?
Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
(Divide zero, and it remains zero. Multiply it, it is still not altered. Go from base-10 to base-4 framework, and zero is unaffected.)
Who else do we know remains unchanged?
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Hebrews 1 ...the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
In physical space, only one coordinate point is the same point on every axis - we refer to it as the origin, (0,0,0); different planes but the same point.
Who else do we know can exist in 3 parts, and yet still be the same?
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
John 14:15-18 If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth...
CRITICISMS
When I first presented this Philosophical Concept one of the immediate push backs against it was that zero is not actually a number. In response I would note to anyone else making similar claims:
There are different sets of numbers that build up to the Real Number system (the unique complete ordered field).
Zero is clearly an element of the set of Real Numbers, it's the "additive identity" -- the number that, when added to any other number x, doesn't change the value of x. Thus, zero is a number, just as any other element of the set of Real Numbers is a number.
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1633/is-zero-a-number
Another criticism levied was the point that other religious text may express similar parallels as evidenced below from the Quran:
Sura 57:003: He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him) and the Most Near (nothing is nearer than Him). And He is the All-Knower of every thing.
Sura 2: 029: He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth. Then turned He to the heaven, and fashioned it as seven heavens. And He is knower of all things.aps
NOTE: This is not to be considered an exhaustive list of references in the Quran (or other religious texts where such references might exist) but examples of parallels to be found in other religious texts.
Though some might disagree, I submit that this revelation does not represent a flaw in the theory. The observation merely establishes that the parallels noted between the Bible and the characteristics of zero, may also be observed elsewhere. Since there were no claims or assertions that parallels were unique to the Bible there is no apparent contradiction to my eye. Further, if so inclined, one could argue that Quran actually refers to the same Omniscient power referenced in the Bible (via Abraham Isaac and Ishmael). I am not specifically making this argument (in part because it’s simply not necessary) but I do not preclude that such an angle could be taken.
Zero Theory is just a take on 5 percenter teachings
I was unfamiliar with the teachings of the 5 percent nation until recently (beyond some of the hip hop lingo that many people used in casual conversation not understanding it). A quick examination of what they refer to as Supreme Numbers would reveal some similarities to this theory, but also one obvious and major disparity. In the teachings of the 5 percent nation they suggest that zero is a cipher:
O - Cipher or Completion. A circle consisting of 360 degrees. Every person, place, or thing pertains to a Cipher.
Here there is an argument (subject to interpretation) that their teaching might appear to be compatible with Zero Theory. If zero is a beginning and an end, that it encompasses the life cycle of all things tangible – from beginning to end, and thus represents a form of completion. However, by way of Zero Theory, the suggestion and conclusion is that Zero symbolically represents the Supreme Being who is NOT man. Five percent nation teachings suggest that the number 7 represents God, and that men are Supreme Beings. This theory and their teachings are not compatible.
Negative numbers are concepts, not real tangible things. For example a person cannot pick up -2 apples, or -5 dollars. I do not contend this is a valid argument (as stated earlier, negative numbers are real numbers, they do not have to be physically tangible to acquire this status). However, we can change our framework and demonstrate the same phenomena without necessarily relying on numbers. If we take three number lines and stack them perpendicular to one another (as shown in Steps I, II, and III below) we essentially form a 3D Coordinate axes (with the coordinates (0,0,0) at the center). See below.
This 3D coordinate axes need not rely on numbers (whether positive or negative). We can replace the positive and negative on each axes with directions: forward and back, above and below, and left and right respectively. See the picture below.
If we superimpose this new directional coordinate axes over a human body we would have something that looks like the figure below:
3D Model from http://www.plasticboy.co.uk/store/index.html
If now, for example, we travel along the left-right axis we can observe that there is still a point that we reach that is neither right nor left. Just as negative numbers end at a certain point and positive numbers begin (and vice versa), the directions begin and end at a common point.
We can switch axes, and see that this analysis remains the same. There is a point that is neither above nor below, neither left nor right, neither forward nor backward on this axis. This point, is the beginning and the end of all the directions (forward, backward, left, right, above and below). And we can tangibly define all of these directions. Not surprisingly, each direction is still relative to the center (i.e defined by the position of the center) while the center remains constant. It is the foundation for all other directions, and also has no counterpart. And if that origin (point (0, 0, 0)) is inside of us; if it is symbolically at our center (and if we recall the earlier observation that the origin could represent God in 3 persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost) then I would offer this Biblical Passages as well for consideration: (See Picture Below)
1 John 2:14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.
1 John 4:16 God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you
1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own
2 Corinthians 6:16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people...'
Ephesians 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
TRANSITION
When this treatise was first published, it wasn’t as well defined as it is now. Many of the concepts and ideas took time to be better developed. Some of the initials criticisms had to be levied in order to develop the treatise further (tangibility of negative numbers was one such criticism). Still in all, I believe this treatise to have some merit. It is perhaps not perfect, and I make no assertion that it is. For want of a title, I initially called this Zero-Theory. At the time it was appropriate as the conversation was constrained to numbers and number lines. But as I believe has been demonstrated while responding to critiques, an origin or center can also serve as beginning and end. In fact, it could be argued that zero, is in fact, the center of the number line.
In any event, regardless of what the theory is called, it should be noted that I certainly do not mean to suggest this is a definitive proof (I feel at a minimum that a truth is implied but certainly not declared at least not by me.)
And while this all involves some mathematical concepts, the use of math does not constitute proof positive. Afterall math is really just a language we use to describe phenomena. So I speculate that it can no more prove God, than the English language can prove God. But they can all still allude to a truth. Just as we see balance in our human existence (high vs low, filled vs empty), we see balance in mathematical frameworks (positive vs negative). And even though that framework is infinite, we see within it a point that is both beginning and end that has no counterpart; an unchanged foundation to which everything else is related.
Does it not stand to reason that the same thing also exists in our existence? Again, submitted for your consideration, your critique, your criticism, your cosign, your confirmation - whatever the case may be.
Labels: center, Christianity, God, math, mathematics, theory, zero
posted by WAR | 1:08 AM
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