What is reality? Is the physical
reality we see around us all there is?
Most scientists insist that
there is nothing but the physical, material universe. They reject any talk of a
reality that can’t be measured empirically with scientific instruments. If it
can’t be measured, it doesn’t exist.
Lately it has become popular in
science to talk of a multi-dimensional reality beyond the four-dimensional
universe (space plus time) we’re all familiar with. For example, string theory,
a branch of physics, posits ten or eleven dimensions of spacetime (or
twenty-six or…). The books I’ve read about string theory (The Hidden Reality and Hyperspace)
explain that the reason we can’t perceive these other dimensions of reality is
because they are really really small—the theory says these other dimensions
must be “curled up” into some tiny space smaller than our measuring devices can
detect. (See this Nova
article or this
short essay by the author of Hyperspace, Dr. Michio Kaku)
People who are spiritually
inclined talk about angels or higher beings that exist on another plane of
existence. Others talk about higher levels or dimensions of consciousness.
There seems to be a common attitude among spiritual seekers that the physical
reality we live in is an illusion or dream, and that the spiritual realm or
higher dimensions are reality.
I think these views about
reality are mistaken, and there’s a fabulous allegory called Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions that explains why
I believe this. Flatland, by Edwin Abbott, is a short novel published in
1884. Mr. Abbott provides a very useful way to imagine how other dimensions can
exist by creating a two-dimensional society called “Flatland.” [Read the full book online, see Carl Sagan discuss it.]
