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35053668-Empire-of-the-Soul-Paul-William-Roberts

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EMPIRE OF THE SOUL<br />

A physical object may be at one point in space at one moment and<br />

at ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> same or a different point in space at a later moment. We<br />

imagine that somehow <strong>the</strong> points in space persist from one moment<br />

to <strong>the</strong> next, so that it has meaning to say whe<strong>the</strong>r or not an object<br />

has actually changed its spatial location. But Galilean relativity<br />

tells us that <strong>the</strong>re is no absolute meaning to <strong>the</strong> ‘state <strong>of</strong> rest,’ so<br />

<strong>the</strong>re is no meaning to be attached to ‘<strong>the</strong> same point in space at two<br />

different times.’ Which point <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Euclidean three-dimensional<br />

space <strong>of</strong> physical experience at one time is <strong>the</strong> ‘same’ point <strong>of</strong> our<br />

Euclidean three-dimensional space at ano<strong>the</strong>r time? There is no way<br />

to say. It seems that we must have a completely new Euclidean space<br />

for each moment <strong>of</strong> time!<br />

– Roger Penrose, The Emperor’s New Mind<br />

I am quite prepared to admit that, being habitual liars and self<br />

deluders, we have good cause to fear <strong>the</strong> truth.<br />

– Saul Bellow<br />

248

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