Introduction

Introduction

Our species uses information as the basis for the representation of all communication. Humans have spent about 2,400 years developing logic, mathematics and science based on information and it has served us well. We have been able to develop theories and scientific laws that allow us to predict the outcome of experiments, develop useful technologies, and understand quite a bit about the composition and function of the universe. Our successes have led most to believe that information is the only possible basis for representation. In fact, the philosophy of information goes so far as to posit that at the very deepest levels, existence itself is derived from bits and based on the representation of information. [1] This paper provides strong arguments to the contrary. It presents a convergent argument that the representation of existence is direct. It argues that the incompleteness of mathematics arises precisely because mathematics is an indirect representation. It argues that mathematics is not isomorphic to the direct representation of existence. Moreover, it argues that it is impossible for mathematics to represent existence directly because mathematics itself is based on the indirect representation of set theory. Representing the direct representation of existence using an indirect representation is incomplete and excessively complex. This paper proposes a direct representation of existence as an alternative to its indirect representation using information. It also identifies the first cause of symmetry and proposes a new conservation law that is more fundamental than the law of conservation of energy.

This paper also argues that the representation of thought is both direct and indirect, and that the brain has no need to use, nor does it use, information to represent or encode thought. We think directly, from the first person perspective in context as in Cogito Ergo Sum. It is not possible to think from the first person direct perspective in context using a third person indirect context free representation. It would be combinatorially too complex, and there would be no way to ground semantic meaning. A brief introduction to the representation of thought is presented. The paper concludes by recommending the creation of high priority research programs to formulate new axiomatic set theories for the direct representation of existence and the universal representation of thought. The former should allow us to accelerate development of theoretical physics exponentially. The latter leads directly to the creation of sentient computers, improved methods for teaching, improvements in treating brain injuries and mental illness, and eventually, a substantial increase in human intelligence.