Perception shapes our understanding of reality. Yet, the Cognitive Theoretical Model of the Universe (CTMU) posits that this relationship is not one-sided. Reality itself depends on the act of observation, creating a feedback loop between the observer and the observed. This perspective challenges traditional notions of an objective, observer-independent universe, suggesting instead that perception is fundamental to existence.
In previous posts, we explored the interconnected, cognitive nature of the universe through the lens of the CTMU. Today, we focus on the observer’s role, delving deeper into how perception actively participates in the creation of reality. As Christopher Langan writes in An Introduction to Mathematical Metaphysics:
Perception is not merely a passive reception of information but an active process that integrates the observer into the very structure of reality.
Perception as an Active Process
In classical physics, the universe is often seen as existing independently of observation. The CTMU, however, aligns more closely with quantum mechanics, where observation plays a critical role in determining outcomes. Langan describes reality as “infocognitive,” meaning that it is composed of information processed through cognition. The observer, by perceiving reality, becomes an integral part of its structure, participating in its self-configuration.
This concept echoes the ideas of physicist John Wheeler, who proposed the “participatory universe.” Wheeler famously said:
The universe does not exist out there, independent of us. We are inescapably involved in bringing about that which appears to be happening.
The CTMU expands on this by asserting that observation is not just participatory but recursive, feeding back into reality’s ongoing self-definition.
The Observer and the Feedback Loop
In the CTMU, the observer is both a participant in and a reflection of reality. This creates a feedback loop where perception shapes reality, and reality, in turn, shapes perception. Langan explains this process through his concept of the SCSPL (Self-Configuring Self-Processing Language), which views reality as a language that evolves through self-reference and observation.
To illustrate, imagine looking at a mirror. Your reflection is a direct result of your observation, yet the act of observing also shapes how you interpret what you see. Similarly, in the CTMU, reality mirrors the observer’s perceptions, creating a dynamic interplay between the two.
This idea aligns with Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics, which states that the act of observation affects the state of the observed. The CTMU takes this principle further, suggesting that observation not only influences outcomes but is fundamental to the existence of reality itself.
Why This Matters
Understanding the observer’s role in reality has profound implications. It suggests that we are not passive witnesses to an external world but active participants in its creation. This perspective invites us to consider how our perceptions and actions contribute to the broader structure of existence.
Christopher Langan summarizes this beautifully in The Art of Knowing:
To observe is to interact. To interact is to exist. In this way, observation is not just a function of life but its very foundation.
By embracing the idea that perception shapes reality, we can begin to see ourselves not as separate from the universe but as integral to its ongoing evolution. The CTMU reminds us that our role as observers is not a limitation but a profound opportunity to engage with the cosmos in a meaningful way.
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