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The word science comes from the Latin scire “to know”. Science simply means “knowledge” acquired through inquiry. The word physics comes ultimately from Greek phusis ‘nature’.

The science of physics is the knowledge acquired through objective inquiry into the nature of the universe.

The logical perspective used in physics has been described as follows.¹

From the earliest recorded thoughts about physics and philosophy, beginning in ancient times, theories about the constitution of nature have been divided into two opposing conceptual frameworks, one based on the idea of a continuum of substance permeating all space, and the other based on the idea of isolated entities moving through a void of empty space.

In the “continuum of substance” perspective we have a gradient at the boundary between matter and space. Here the substance gradually thins out from matter and ultimately becomes space. Faraday² described this gradient as made up of “lines of force”. These lines were concentrated in atoms, and from there they extended out making the fabric of space. Therefore, there was a gradient scale of substance from matter to space.

In the “particles in void” perspective we have a sharp divide at the boundary between matter and space. Here matter ends abruptly and space starts. It is a much simpler black and white view of substance. It is either present as “matter”, or absent as “space”. There is no gradient in between. It is simple to represent this view with mathematics.

There are two logical perspectives that have been used in physics: (a) “particles in void”, and (b) “continuum of substance”.

The “particles in void” perspective found its biggest success in Newtonian Mechanics, where matter and space were treated clearly as separate entities. Since space is viewed as “nothingness”, it is addressed mathematically through the use of Geometry in explaining mechanics.

Newton was also successful in discovering the universal phenomenon of Gravity. He provided the mathematics for assessing the gravitational attraction between two objects. But it raised more questions. Space was “nothingness” and had no properties, so how could two objects attract each other across a distance? Newton was mystified by this “action at a distance”, but he had no answers.

The “particles in void” perspective has been extremely successful but it has been unable to explain the mystery of “action at a distance”.

More questions arose in 18^th century in the context of light, heat, electricity and magnetism where the separation between matter and space was not so clear. Mathematics has helped to a large degree but it seems to be substituting increasingly for some unknown reality.

There have been attempts to apply the “continuum of substance” perspective to the mystery of “action at a distance” and other problems; but, for some reason, this perspective has not caught on.

The “continuum of substance” perpective  may solve the problem of “action at a distance”, but it has not been applied diligently.

Modern physics is still focused on the “particles in void” perspective supported by mathematics. This perspective is visible in quantum mechanics, which conceives that atom and its nucleus are made up of particles. The subject of Particle Physics is at the forefront of current physical research.

The scientific mindset is currently dominated by the “particles in void” perspective supported by mathematics.

The “continuum of substance” perspective has yet to be applied diligently to the fundamental problems in physics that have long been considered but still unresolved.

The book looks at the unresolved problems in Physics from the “continuum of substance” perspective.

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¹“Why Maxwell Couldn’t Explain Gravity” by Kevin Brown

²“Thoughts on Ray Vibrations”, Lecture by Michael Faraday (1846),  Experimental Researches in Electricity, Vol III, M. Faraday, p447-452.

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Reference: A Logical Approach to Theoretical Physics

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The “reality” of this universe is fascinating indeed. We perceive it directly through our physical perceptions of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. We also perceive it more deeply through our mental perception, which is referred to as common sense based on generations of experience, or wisdom.

The science of Physics investigates and builds up on the objective reality of the universe.

The objective reality is that which has been tested and verified, and cannot be argued with. The word objective is derived from object that has the sense of “something perceived”. Objective reality is not only made tangible through the physical perceptions, but also made consistent by the mental perception of logic. The objective reality is the same for all people.

Objective reality is that from which all known inconsistencies have been resolved.

The subjective reality is different for different people and it may be argued with. The word subjective is derived from subject that has the sense of “open to inspection”. Subjective reality depends on individual viewpoint. It is recognized by inconsistencies present in the view of reality.

Subjective reality is characterized by inconsistencies that still need to be resolved.

As inconsistencies are resolved the subjective reality becomes increasingly objective. We may compare realities by the degree of their subjectivity or objectivity. It is not just black and white.

There is, however, a misconception that everything processed through the mind is subjective. Wisdom that has been refined and verified over generations is still subjective because it is based on mental perception. Even the physical perceptions are subjective because they are interpreted by the mind. Since reality cannot be perceived except through the mind the objective reality is unattainable. Such a viewpoint is impractical.

Reality does not become subjective just because it is processed through the mind.

The science of physics continually examines the physical phenomena by observing it more deeply through experiments. It comes up with theories and concepts to explain the phenomena under examination. Newton came up with fundamental concepts, such as, mass and inertia, along with theories to explain motion, mechanics and gravity. Such theories and concepts are then continually examined for inconsistencies. Physics does so by the use of mathematics, which is a rigorous form of logic. But this does not exclude other forms of logic.

The criterion of objectivity is physical, mathematical and logical consistency.

It is increasingly becoming difficult to directly examine and verify the phenomena in modern scientific investigations. Mathematics is being used increasingly to substitute for direct observations. Mathematics has even substituted the theories in quantum mechanics. Although the mathematics of quantum mechanics predicts remarkably verifiable results; but its interpretation conflicts with the common logic. There are unresolved inconsistencies when the theories of relativity, quantum mechanics, and Newtonian mechanics are considered together.

This book is written on the premise that when there is a physical, mathematical or logical inconsistency some truth is missing and it needs to be discovered.

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Reference: A Logical Approach to Theoretical Physics

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