Spatial Dimensions: Is this true?

[Robleh]

I’ve been thinking about space and manifolds as of late. Specifically those dimensions beyond our 3D world. Topologically, we know a dimension beyond ours must exist. That is there must be higher dimensions. The real question is: are there living beings in those dimensions? If there are, then what are they like? Are we a small existence embedded in a larger spatial realm? These dimensions being so large, that we are not even noticed? Or is our seemingly large universe all there is?

I’ve written an article on the topic, but this interface doesn’t allow mathematical character embedding so it will appear as ASCII characters should I upload it. Thus, I simply submit the idea for comment.

We know of 3 dimensions. We know that our very own 3D dimension is expanding into a 4D spatial dimension, as the universe is expanding into 4D. We also know that theoretically there is no limit on manifolds. There really can be N-dimensions. But if this is true, then there are an infinite set of dimensions outward, an existence we know only with us fixed in 3D. If there are infinite dimensional manifolds, then are we an infinitesimally small existence embedded in so many, many larger structures? A virtual nothing vis-a-vis the large existence beyond us? This idea fits nicely with the idea of endless duration, which we call time.

But, I say to myself wait, if dimensions increase and we are just the 3rd one, then are they connected, one to the other? It would seem so. All we know epistemologically is such, so why shouldn’t space be a connected geometry? Or is it that there are simple shapes and forms therefrom that form the physical world and dimensions beyond this limited set are not possible? It was Kant that said we understand the world only by a necessary assumption of being in space and time. That is, we can’t never think of anything outside it being in these parameters. Everything must exist in space and time, must exist in space and time according to Kant. There is no possibility of it being anything else. I agree. So, what does it mean to have infinite spatial dimension with a backdrop constant, we call time? All things exist in increasing dimension upward and downward in a continual duration called time. So, we are a small existence embedded in 3D, while there are other existing things higher or lower in space and time?

And there is the interesting question. Can there be intelligent life in higher dimensions? Is it like us? Riemann’s coordinatized construction showed us that n-tuple geometries can be related. So, there isn’t a 1d not connected to a 2d, or a 2d not coupled to a 3d, etc. All of space-time is coordinatized. Every point in space is necessarily connected to every other point in space, with time as a constant. This alone makes me think as James Cagney said in the 30s gangster film: We ain’t so tough!.

The whole of reality is sealed together, at least from the perspective of Riemann. But, is there life in all these quarters? Is there a being somewhere now, in a 4th or 5th or 30th dimension unaware of my existence, somehow affecting me, thru its actions? Are we a very small, ant-like species embedded in the structure of some much larger existing structure with much larger beings? A disquieting thought to me.

Intriguing question I think. So many unanswered possibilities lie therein.

[A_student]

I’ll just post my comments on the first part of your message, and pm the rest later…

@Robleh

I’ve been thinking about space and manifolds as of late. Specifically those dimensions beyond our 3D world. Topologically, we know a dimension beyond ours must exist.

Scientifically we can define dimensions beyond those 3 in any way that suits us.

That is there must be higher dimensions.

Calling the dimensions beyond the three of space higher dimensions is a choice of words. Perhaps you mean that the more intelligence one needs to comprehend the additional dimensions, the ‘higher’ you call them. This would imply that the imagination/experience of less intelligent humans and possibly animals takes place in ‘lower’ dimensions. Anyway, we can at least say that there are other dimensions than just the three spatial dimensions we know. (By the way, why would the idea of space take up three (metaphysical) dimensions?)

The real question is: are there living beings in those dimensions?

How would ‘life’ be defined when it, by definition, exists beyond space? (By the way, how is ‘life’ scientifically defined when it (partially?) takes place in our space?)

If there are, then what are they like?

I think that they could literally be imagined in all kinds of ways. Some see mythical Gods as living entities playing their role in the internal life of people, but to me personally Bob Marley sometimes still seems to be very alive as well

Are we a small existence embedded in a larger spatial realm?

This depends completely on the realm that forms the basis of the beings to which you compare your or our own existence.

These dimensions being so large, that we are not even noticed?

I think that it is very like that, if there are alive beings beyond our spatial dimension, there will at least be some that don’t really bother with our existence. Fortunately, through the inter-relatedness of the universe and universal quantum entanglements to nearly unimaginable small extends, most likely taking place on all metaphysical dimensions (unless when they are defined to not have that property, which makes them purely theoretical), those beings will always ‘notice’ (being subconsciously influenced by) something of our existence.

Or is our seemingly large universe all there is?

For philosophical reasoning this can, sometimes, be a very useful perspective to take. However, it is best not to forget that you’re factually leaving possibilities out of the picture in this case, and hence you will not be able to see the complete picture from this perspective.