Ronald R. Cherry
The fifth dimension
By Ronald R. Cherry
As human beings we are able to directly perceive our Universe in four dimensions. The physical volume of the Universe, with all its galaxies, stars, planets and objects therein observable, is expressed in the first three Euclidean dimensions on the x,y and z axes of the Universe. Time occurs as objects move through space, thus as we observe the movement of objects, including people, we experience the fourth dimension of time. Albert Einstein's Special Relativity combines these four observable dimensions of the Universe into one, known as Spacetime, but Einstein's high conception of science remained grounded in that which is observable to human beings, thus he did not attempt to tread unscientifically into the unobservable fifth dimension.
"There is no more common-place statement than that the world in which we live is a four-dimensional space-time continuum... For it is composed of individual elements, each of which is described by four numbers, namely, three space co-ordinates x,y,z, and a time co-ordinate, the time value t."
Albert Einstein
Some Physicists, in order to justify string theory, have proposed a theory of additional dimensions within the Universe, which cannot be perceived by human senses; we cannot directly see, touch, taste, smell or hear them, or an effect from them, but to some they are, when expressed mathematically, very appealing on paper. Since science boils down to the ability to observe, comprehend and accept self-evident physical truth, and since faith is any belief beyond the discovery of science, i.e., any belief beyond the discovery of observation, it becomes clear that dogmatic belief in dimensions past four requires faith, because, starting with the so-called fifth dimension, they all happen to be beyond the discovery of human observation, and are thereby reduced to the realm of abstract theory or science fiction. When belief in extra dimensions is absolute, as with belief in God, it becomes tantamount to religious faith. Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, if they were to exist, would not be beyond the discovery of observation, so, short of observation, lack of belief (lack of faith) in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy is rational. Both God and a theoretical fifth dimension remain beyond the discovery of observation, so, short of observation, an inflexible lack of faith is irrational. Belief in God is as rational as theoretical physics; justification for the latter are five dimensional mathematical equations (space + time + ?), while justification for the former are four dimensional mathematical equations (space + time), the Biblical record and the Divine imprint on our human nature.
Our Founding Fathers were not privy to string theory and extra dimensions, but they rightly identified a moral rationale for faith in God. They postulated that, based on infinite and therefore equal human value, our equal unalienable human rights are endowed to us by our Creator, not by a government, in order to prevent attempts by tyrannical government to suppress or take them away.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Thomas Jefferson – American Declaration of Independence
Ronald R. Cherry, MD
Author of Restoring the American Mind
© Ronald R. Cherry
February 16, 2019
As human beings we are able to directly perceive our Universe in four dimensions. The physical volume of the Universe, with all its galaxies, stars, planets and objects therein observable, is expressed in the first three Euclidean dimensions on the x,y and z axes of the Universe. Time occurs as objects move through space, thus as we observe the movement of objects, including people, we experience the fourth dimension of time. Albert Einstein's Special Relativity combines these four observable dimensions of the Universe into one, known as Spacetime, but Einstein's high conception of science remained grounded in that which is observable to human beings, thus he did not attempt to tread unscientifically into the unobservable fifth dimension.
"There is no more common-place statement than that the world in which we live is a four-dimensional space-time continuum... For it is composed of individual elements, each of which is described by four numbers, namely, three space co-ordinates x,y,z, and a time co-ordinate, the time value t."
Albert Einstein
Some Physicists, in order to justify string theory, have proposed a theory of additional dimensions within the Universe, which cannot be perceived by human senses; we cannot directly see, touch, taste, smell or hear them, or an effect from them, but to some they are, when expressed mathematically, very appealing on paper. Since science boils down to the ability to observe, comprehend and accept self-evident physical truth, and since faith is any belief beyond the discovery of science, i.e., any belief beyond the discovery of observation, it becomes clear that dogmatic belief in dimensions past four requires faith, because, starting with the so-called fifth dimension, they all happen to be beyond the discovery of human observation, and are thereby reduced to the realm of abstract theory or science fiction. When belief in extra dimensions is absolute, as with belief in God, it becomes tantamount to religious faith. Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, if they were to exist, would not be beyond the discovery of observation, so, short of observation, lack of belief (lack of faith) in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy is rational. Both God and a theoretical fifth dimension remain beyond the discovery of observation, so, short of observation, an inflexible lack of faith is irrational. Belief in God is as rational as theoretical physics; justification for the latter are five dimensional mathematical equations (space + time + ?), while justification for the former are four dimensional mathematical equations (space + time), the Biblical record and the Divine imprint on our human nature.
Our Founding Fathers were not privy to string theory and extra dimensions, but they rightly identified a moral rationale for faith in God. They postulated that, based on infinite and therefore equal human value, our equal unalienable human rights are endowed to us by our Creator, not by a government, in order to prevent attempts by tyrannical government to suppress or take them away.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Thomas Jefferson – American Declaration of Independence
Ronald R. Cherry, MD
Author of Restoring the American Mind
© Ronald R. Cherry
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