The Fundamental Principle of Metaphysics
or
The Universe is the Realization of All Possibility
or
The Universe is the Realization of All Logical Possibility
or
The Universe is the Realization of All Possible Natural (Physical) Possibility
or
A Strong Principle of Plenitude

ANIL MITRA © OCTOBER  2016—October 2016

Home

Contents

Introduction

The Principle of Plenitude in History

The Fundamental Principle of Metaphysics

Proof

The Proof Itself

On Logic

Plausibility

Application

The Fundamental Principle of Metaphysics

Introduction

The Principle of Plenitude in History

Thinkers from Plato, to Epicurus, to Lucretius, to Augustine of Hippo, to St. Anselm, to Giordano Bruno, Spinoza, to Leibniz, to Kant, and even Paul Dirac have subscribed to one or other version of the principle of plenitude.

In its strongest form the principle is that the universe is the realization of all possibility.

In a weaker form it says that if something is possible in a finite time, it will be realized in an infinite time.

Some thinkers have regarded the principle as static, others as dynamic. The formulation here is from a perspective in which the dynamic is not distinct from the static.

The Fundamental Principle of Metaphysics

I will rename the principle of plenitude the fundamental principle of metaphysics. I’ll justify this renaming:

1. I will prove the principle. It’s statements will include:
2. The universe is the realization of all possibility.
3. I will analyze and arrive at an essential meaning of possibility and find that the possibility for the principle is not practical or physical possibility but possibility such that what cannot obtain under it, does not attain in any world, real or potential. This will also be logical possibility.
4. The principle will found an ultimate and perfect metaphysics…
5. And cosmological consequences for the universe as limitless variety, extension, duration, peaking, dissolution, of being.

The treatment here is bare; see The way of being and other essays from http://www.horizons-2000.org for details.

Proof

The Proof Itself

A natural law is our reading of a local pattern of behavior. The pattern itself is a Law. The Laws inhere only in the manifest. Outside of the manifest, in the absence of manifest being, there is no law.

Therefore every possibility is realized; this must be the maximal possibility; for the contrary would be a Law outside the manifest.

On Logic

A conceived state can fail to be realizable because our freedom of conception can (a) violate a known fact or (b) posit facts that are in mutual violation. The former is a factual contradiction the latter are the logical contradictions.

We can define an enhanced notion of logic that encompasses both kinds of contradiction and, therefore, both two kinds of possibility.

Indeed, however, factual violation concerns a conceived state in comparison with a perceived state.

Therefore these two kinds of permissibility coalesce as one that we call Logic and which includes logic and fact or science.

Plausibility

The present proof is in a form that gives also plausibility

Ockham’s principle applied to what does not exist.

If our being is to have explanation without foundation in the unexplained. Which is also a foundation of all fundamental science.

An objection to plausibility is seeming contradiction with science and experience. There is in fact no contradiction. In fact the principle requires our experience, science, and cosmos.

Another objection to plausibility is that the principle is counterintuitive. But this can be an objection only in the absence of proof. Further we can easily reeducate the intuition, especially as there is and can be no inconsistency between the principle and what is valid in the rest of our knowledge.

Application

To metaphysics as described above and elaborated in the earlier links.

Dirac’s argument for the existence of magnetic monopoles. More generally as an approach to foundation for quantum theory.

Human Knowledge and Destiny—the implications and application are ultimate: all being realizes a dynamic ultimate (variety above). The metaphysical system also provides theoretical and practical foundation for the instruments of immediate and ultimate realization.

Reformation of science and religion.