Lucidity, science, and acausality illusions

1. Lucidity, science, andacausality illusions Michael E McIntyre University of Cambridge For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

2. An idea to take seriously (with far-reaching implications): perception works by model-fitting. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

3. An idea to take seriously (with far-reaching implications): perception works by model-fitting. The unconscious brain actively fits an internal model to the sensory data coming in from the outside world. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

4. An idea to take seriously (with far-reaching implications): perception works by model-fitting. The unconscious brain actively fits an internal model to the sensory data coming in from the outside world. If the fit is good enough, the internal model becomes the perceived reality. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

5. An idea to take seriously (with far-reaching implications): perception works by model-fitting. The unconscious brain actively fits an internal model to the sensory data coming in from the outside world. If the fit is good enough, the internal model becomes the perceived reality. Example: the “walking lights”: For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

6. What is the perceived reality? A cube rotating? Which way? For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

7. And what is a model? For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

8. And what is a model? (in the sense used here – a very general sense) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

9. And what is a model? Answer: a partial and approximate representation of reality (e.g. of a real person really walking, or of a real wire cube really rotating). (in the sense used here – a very general sense) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

10. And what is a model? Answer: a partial and approximate representation of reality (e.g. of a real person really walking, or of a real wire cube really rotating). NB: Science works the same way. (in the sense used here – a very general sense) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

11. And what is a model? Answer: a partial and approximate representation of reality (e.g. of a real person really walking, or of a real wire cube really rotating). NB: Science works the same way. (in the sense used here – a very general sense) (e.g Einstein’s Theory of Relativity) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

12. And what is a model? Answer: a partial and approximate representation of reality (e.g. of a real person really walking, or of a real wire cube really rotating). NB: Science works the same way. (Implication: science is not about Absolute Truth or Absolute Proof.) (in the sense used here – a very general sense) (e.g Einstein’s Theory of Relativity) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

13. And what is a model? Answer: a partial and approximate representation of reality (e.g. of a real person really walking, or of a real wire cube really rotating). NB: Science works the same way. (Implication: science is not about Absolute Truth or Absolute Proof.) (For one thing, we must assume that there’s an outside world…) (in the sense used here – a very general sense) (e.g Einstein’s Theory of Relativity) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

14. Models and model-fitting require mathematics For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

15. Models and model-fitting require mathematics (e.g. Euclidean geometry). For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

16. Models and model-fitting require mathematics (e.g. Euclidean geometry). Implication: we all have unconscious mathematics. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

17. Models and model-fitting require mathematics (e.g. Euclidean geometry). Implication: we all have unconscious mathematics. Another way to say it is: We all have an unconscious power of abstraction For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

18. Models and model-fitting require mathematics (e.g. Euclidean geometry). Implication: we all have unconscious mathematics. Another way to say it is: We all have an unconscious power of abstraction – and what is abstraction?Answer: the ability to handle many possibilities at once For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

19. Models and model-fitting require mathematics (e.g. Euclidean geometry). Implication: we all have unconscious mathematics. Another way to say it is: We all have an unconscious power of abstraction – and what is abstraction?Answer: the ability to handle many possibilities at once (even an infinite number of possibilities). For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

20. All this can be seen as a consequence of biological natural selection For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

21. All this can be seen as a consequence of biological natural selection along with certain mathematical facts, especially combinatorial largeness. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

22. All this can be seen as a consequence of biological • natural selection • along with certain mathematical facts, especially • combinatorial largeness. • The unconscious brain must choose the • model components to fit to the incoming data from a • combinatorially largenumber of possibilities. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

23. All this can be seen as a consequence of biological • natural selection • along with certain mathematical facts, especially • combinatorial largeness. • The unconscious brain must choose the • model components to fit to the incoming data from a • combinatorially largenumber of possibilities. • “No organism can afford to be conscious of matters • with which it could deal on unconscious levels.” • – Gregory Bateson For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

24. How large is combinatorially large? For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

25. How large is combinatorially large? Reminder 1 – Lucidity and Science, Part I For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

26. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

27. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

28. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

29. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) – what we perceive are perfectlysmooth curves – mathematically simple ! For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

30. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) – what we perceive are perfectlysmooth curves – mathematically simple ! (as distinct from what’s actually on the screen!) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

31. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) – what we perceive are perfectlysmooth curves – mathematically simple ! (as distinct from what’s actually on the screen!) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

32. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) – what we perceive are perfectlysmooth curves – mathematically simple ! A perfectly straight line is another Platonic object For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

33. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) – what we perceive are perfectlysmooth curves – mathematically simple ! A perfectly straight line is another Platonic object: For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

34. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) There are very many Platonic objects. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

35. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) There are very many Platonic objects. E.g. an infinitely large number of smooth curves. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

36. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) There are very many Platonic objects. E.g. an infinitely large number of smooth curves. Here’s another smooth curve – can you see it? For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

37. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) There are very many Platonic objects. E.g. an infinitely large number of smooth curves. Here’s another smooth curve – can you see it? (unconscious mathematics again – calculus of variations) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

38. The unconscious brain is especially interested in internal models made of patterns that are as simple as possible (Platonic objects – elegance – computational economy) There are very many Platonic objects. E.g. an infinitely large number of smooth curves. Here’s another smooth curve – can you see it? (unconscious mathematics again – calculus of variations) Contructivism “versus” Platonism: a false dichotomy: “The illusory contour… is constructed, unconsciously. To wonder at its perfection is to glimpse the Platonic” – Part II, p 296 For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

39. Model-fitting takes place in spacetime. (The walking lights demonstrate it, as does any movie.) For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

40. Model-fitting takes place in spacetime. (The walking lights demonstrate it, as does any movie.) We perceive continuous motion despite actual discontinuities. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

41. Model-fitting takes place in spacetime. (The walking lights demonstrate it, as does any movie.) We perceive continuous motion despite actual discontinuities. Musical example: Mozart’s “flowing oil” – a feeling of continuous motion evoked by discontinuous sounds(from the K545 piano sonata). For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

42. Model-fitting takes place in spacetime. (The walking lights demonstrate it, as does any movie.) We perceive continuous motion despite actual discontinuities. Musical example: Mozart’s “flowing oil” – a feeling of continuous motion evoked by discontinuous sounds(from the K545 piano sonata). The outer indistinct, ragged “contour” reminds us of the playing of a pianist less skilled than Mozart: For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles” “Platonic” versus “constructivist” – another of our false dichotomies! Again see Lucidity and Science Part II, p. 296.

43. Music takes us deeper still. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

44. Music takes us deeper still. Natural selection again: auditory scene analysis. For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

45. Music takes us deeper still. Natural selection again: auditory scene analysis. An implication is that the harmonic series is another Platonic object, part of the brain’s model-building repertoire: For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

46. Music takes us deeper still. Natural selection again: auditory scene analysis. An implication is that the harmonic series is another Platonic object, part of the brain’s model-building repertoire: Ravel trio: ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

47. Indeed, this is evolutionarily ancient. It’s not just our brains that make use of the harmonic series: For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

48. Indeed, this is evolutionarily ancient. It’s not just our brains that make use of the harmonic series: “And somewhere, out in that blue and green splendour, something was singing: a small voice, high up, starting and ceasing, incredibly sweet. What was it? A little, sweet, wild voice, a music in mid-air. He listened, and his breath caught in his throat.” – Ursula Le Guin, The Dispossessed For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

49. Indeed, this is evolutionarily ancient. It’s not just our brains that make use of the harmonic series: “And somewhere, out in that blue and green splendour, something was singing: a small voice, high up, starting and ceasing, incredibly sweet. What was it? A little, sweet, wild voice, a music in mid-air. He listened, and his breath caught in his throat.” – Ursula Le Guin, The Dispossessed Examples: New Zealand tui and kokako: For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”

50. Tui song recorded inInvercargill, New Zealand): > actual half speed Recording by Les McPherson For more on this, websearch ”lucidity principles”