Page 14 - December 2024

Contemplating Chaos

A Metaphysical and Scientific View on the Uncertain

Part II water temperature, land proximity,
Read part I here ocean depth, and ambient air pressure

kick in to make the point of landfall
OF ORDER AND CHAOS unpredictable. The best we can do is

Our world is both orderly and chaotic. speak of probabilities. Speaking of
Newtonian mechanics can predict the probabilities, the quantum field from

planetary motions and gravity produces which our world arises is chaotic in the
predictable universal effects. In this sense that quantum motions can only

sense, science speaks of deterministic be described in probabilistic terms and
conditions or predictable sets of never be absolutely determined.
outcomes. But in many other instances,

what starts as determinism gives way FORCES OF NATURE
to chaos or unpredictability. Roll a ball Fractals-- Chaos theory is about ordered

down a hill and the deterministic law actions producing chaotic (differing)
of gravity is in effect. But, you can’t results. Science has noted natural
determine the exact trajectory of the ball and mathematical patterns related to

or exactly where it will come to rest. You chaos called fractals. These are similar,
might be able to approximate the vicinity repetitive (recursive) patterns occurring

in which it lands but that’s probability, at differing scales. Like a hologram, each
not predictability. fractal segment is a similar but slightly
different reflection of the whole of

Chaos theory concerns itself with which it is part. Mathematically, minute
variances in initial conditions of changes in the initial creative conditions

deterministic systems leading to produce similar but unpredictably
uncertainty. Our ball can start under different fractal patterns.
deterministic conditions, but it morphs A common example of fractals in nature

into chaos as a result of minute changes is a close-up of a Romanesco cauliflower.
in wind or ground conditions as it moves Each small segment looks like the whole

downhill through time and space. A cauliflower.
hurricane’s path can be predicted to
a certain point but then variables like On a scaled basis, you can say the small

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