In Search of the Book of Nature

Abstract

The Book of Nature is an ancient metaphor for knowledge, where the universe can be read like a book for understanding. It is written in the language of mathematics, giving birth to science. A modern interpretation is that human knowledge generation rests on an act of translation. Aspects of the physical world are translated into abstract, formal notions. These can be manipulated by the mind to gain insights into the workings of the world. This raises many philosophical questions, as it posits the existence and interaction of three worlds: the physical (space, time, and energy), the mental (consciousness), and the abstract (Platonism). Level of mathematical formality: medium.