


Volume 16 No 7 (2018)
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Space-Time Intervals Underlie Human Conscious Experience, Gravity, and a Theory of Everything
Richard Sieb
Abstract
Space-time intervals are the fundamental components of conscious experience, gravity, and a Theory of Everything.
Space-time intervals are relationships that arise naturally between events. They have a general covariance
(independence of coordinate systems, scale invariance), a physical constancy, that encompasses all frames of
reference. There are three basic types of space-time intervals (light-like, time-like, space-like) which interact to
create space-time and its properties. Human conscious experience is a four-dimensional space-time continuum
created through the processing of space-time intervals by the brain; space-time intervals are the source of
conscious experience (observed physical reality). Human conscious experience is modeled by Einstein’s special
theory of relativity, a theory designed specifically from the general covariance of space-time intervals (for inertial
frames of reference). General relativity is our most accurate description of gravity. In general relativity, the
general covariance of space-time intervals is extended to all frames of reference (inertial and non-inertial),
including gravitational reference frames; space-time intervals are the source of gravity in general relativity. The
general covariance of space-time intervals is further extended to quantum mechanics; space-time intervals are the
source of quantum gravity. The general covariance of space-time intervals seamlessly merges general relativity
with quantum field theory (the two grand theories of the universe). Space-time intervals consequently are the
basis of a Theory of Everything (a single all-encompassing coherent theoretical framework of physics that fully
explains and links together all physical aspects of the universe). This theoretical framework encompasses our
observed physical reality (conscious experience) as well; space-time intervals link observed physical reality to
actual physical reality. This provides an accurate and reliable match between observed physical reality and the
physical universe by which we can carry on our activity. The Minkowski metric, which defines generally covariant
space-time intervals, may be considered an axiom (premise, postulate) for the Theory of Everything.
Keywords
Experience, Relativity, Quantum, Gravity, Space-Time Intervals, General Covariance
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