Space-Time Intervals Underlie Human Conscious Experience, Gravity, and a Theory of Everything

Abstract

Space-time intervals are the fundamental components of conscious experience, gravity, and a Theory of Everything. Space-time intervals are relationships that arise naturally between events. They have a general covariance (independence of coordinate systems, scale invariance), a physical constancy, that encompasses all frames of reference. There are three basic types of space-time intervals (light-like, time-like, space-like) which interact to create space-time and its properties. Human conscious experience is a four-dimensional space-time continuum created through the processing of space-time intervals by the brain; space-time intervals are the source of conscious experience (observed physical reality). Human conscious experience is modeled by Einstein's special theory of relativity, a theory designed specifically from the general covariance of space-time intervals (for inertial frames of reference). General relativity is our most accurate description of gravity. In general relativity, the general covariance of space-time intervals is extended to all frames of reference (inertial and non-inertial), including gravitational reference frames; space-time intervals are the source of gravity in general relativity. The general covariance of space-time intervals is further extended to quantum mechanics; space-time intervals are the source of quantum gravity. The general covariance of space-time intervals seamlessly merges general relativity with quantum field theory (the two grand theories of the universe). Space-time intervals consequently are the basis of a Theory of Everything (a single all-encompassing coherent theoretical framework of physics that fully explains and links together all physical aspects of the universe). This theoretical framework encompasses our observed physical reality (conscious experience) as well; space-time intervals link observed physical reality to actual physical reality. This provides an accurate and reliable match between observed physical reality and the physical universe by which we can carry on our activity. The Minkowski metric, which defines generally covariant space-time intervals, may be considered an axiom (premise, postulate) for the Theory of Everything.

Space-Time Intervals Underlie Human Conscious Experience, Gravity, and Everything

“…Consequently, Einstein developed his general theory of relativity. General Relativity is also based on the three basic types of space-time intervals (Sieb, 2018). In general relativity, gravity is described, not as a force, but as the curvature of space-time by the local distribution of mass, momentum, and energy.…”

“…What is it that determines the local distribution of mass, momentum, and energy, but space-time intervals. Consequently, the three basic types of space-time intervals are the source of gravity in general relativity (Sieb, 2018). The relationship is engendered by the Einstein Field Equations.…”

“…The relationship is engendered by the Einstein Field Equations. The Einstein Field Equations in effect describe the curvature of spacetime by the three basic types of space-time intervals; the Einstein Field Equations in essence describe the gravitational potential of the three basic types of space-time intervals (Sieb, 2018). The Einstein Field Equations actually reduce to the Minkowski Metric (the simple space-time interval defining metric) when gravity (the curvature of space-time) is negligible.…”

“…Space-time intervals therefore link our observed physical reality or conscious experience (as described by special relativity) to actual physical reality (as described by general relativity). The fundamental nature of spacetime intervals can be further extended to encompass quantum gravity (Sieb, 2018). Interestingly, in quantum field theory, there are three accepted fundamental quantum interactions or forces (called electromagnetic, strong nuclear, weak nuclear).…”

“…Together, they most closely approximate a Theory of Everything. Since space-time intervals merge General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory, space-time intervals underlie a single all-encompassing coherent theoretical framework of physics that fully explains and links together all physical aspects of the universe, a Theory of Everything (Sieb, 2018). This theory encompasses our observed physical reality (conscious experience) as well, linking observed physical reality to actual physical reality.…”