Pedro Carta, PhD

This dissertation argues that the core Stoic concept of reason aligns closely with modern theories of fundamental information, offering a novel interpretation of their philosophy. Stoicism, aimed at eudaimonia (a state of human flourishing) through virtue, views reason as the driving force organizing nature from the origins of the universe. I propose that the Stoic tripartite system of physics, logic, and ethics facilitates a continuous flow of information from the universe's cosmological birth to the evolution of human thought. The paper bridges this ancient philosophy with contemporary cosmological findings, where information at the Planck scale, the set of natural units derived from a universal measurement inherent to the fabric of the universe, holographically projects our physical world. Conceptual equations synthesize these ideas, asserting that the universe's evolution involves intropy, the informational content of a system that increases over time and can transform humanity by revealing its divine, interconnected composition. This work presents a unique, systematic integration of philosophy and physics, highlighting the wisdom of Stoic cosmology.

We are beings in search of truth. As scientists, philosophers, mathematicians, citizens, parents, and individuals, we seek meaning and the validity of our beliefs. As social animals, our survival depends on our interactions with one another. We choose our relationships based on common grounds such as cultural, ideological, political, and, primarily, emotional connections. The quality and stability of these relationships enable us to lead productive and healthy lives. Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath, a psychologist, writer, speaker, and Jungian analyst, as well as the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Real Dialogue in Vermont, coined the term "snow globe" to illustrate how we encapsulate our own subjective reality. Each of us perceives the world differently, taking in information and filtering it through our sense perceptions, belief systems, emotional experiences, and memories to determine what we sense as real. Even though we are inside our own snow globes, we can still communicate through them. Our curiosity drives us to exchange ideas and build our world through these interactions. While the concept of a snow globe may seem solid and impenetrable, we can influence the structures inside it based on our inner "meteorology." If the snow globe is shaken and its swirling snow obscures visibility, both from the inside out and outside in, we may find ourselves stuck in a fixed outlook on life. However, when all is calm and light can shine through our spheres of reality, we can glimpse into each other's snow globes and influence one another. To add complexity to this metaphor, I will apply Donald Hoffman’s Interface Theory of Perception, which explains how our species navigates reality. This theory raises questions about whether our relationships are truly an effort to obtain truthful facts or if our evolutionary biology is inadvertently undermining our relationship goals by imposing an unintentional and illusory framework. In our pursuit of honesty, fidelity, friendship, and love, we may be grappling with evolutionary desires that conflict with our goals of achieving mutual understanding. This paper will present arguments for philosophical interpretations concerning the paradox of human nature: beings evolved for fitness, yet are bound by the necessity of coexisting in harmony while sharing a reality that contradicts our perceptions. Finally, I will share my personal views on where we should focus our efforts, a future where we can take control of our evolutionary path by gaining a deeper understanding of our physiology and psychology. This understanding will allow us to align ourselves in harmony with both our true selves and the universe around us.

The new paradigm in cosmology identifies information as the fundamental element of the universe. This concept is beautifully illustrated in Dr. Jude Currivan’s book, The Cosmic Hologram: In-formation at the Center of Creation (Currivan, 2017). The book presents a novel approach to visualizing information as the building block of reality and its evolution throughout time. This discovery has been in the making for millennia, drawing upon ancient philosophy and early scientific endeavors throughout history. In the Western philosophical tradition, one of the most significant schools of thought was Stoicism. Stoicism comprises three interconnected parts: Physics, which addresses the nature, structure, and laws of the universe alongside aspects of psychology; Logic, which deals with language, epistemology, and our understanding of the world; and Ethics, the most well-known component, which emphasizes living a good life through virtue and aligning oneself with nature and reason (Durand et al., 2023). Among these three components, physics has been largely discredited by modern science and most contemporary philosophers, leading to a greater emphasis on ethics, which aligns well with the values of Western secular societies and shares similar traits with some Eastern philosophical traditions. This paper revisits the key concepts of the neglected Stoic physics to highlight its relevance and contribution to the evolution of modern scientific discoveries in cosmology. We will explore how this philosophical school, influenced by Plato’s academia and the Socratic method, established a practical and intuitive cosmological system. This made Stoicism one of the most influential philosophical schools in Western history, and as we will demonstrate, it contained the original informational elements necessary for modern science to develop its current understanding of the universe. Therefore, we will trace the entropic evolution of Stoic Cosmogony3 as a crucial contributor to the successes of science, as it can be clearly applied to the latest theories in cosmology. I will also argue that popular attempts to update Stoicism by disregarding aspects of the philosophy's orthodoxy that, on the surface, seem antiquated and false, miss the mark entirely and are ironic, considering the Stoic discipline of managing impressions so as not to act impulsively. I would advise the authors of such ideas to be more Stoic.

“To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day.” This quote from Lao Tzu beautifully encapsulates the idea that learning is not just about accumulating knowledge but also about decluttering unnecessary elements to allow wisdom to surface. The phenomenon known as subtraction resistance—our tendency to believe that adding things always improves our situation—can hinder our ability to consider subtraction as a valid means of pursuing improvement. As a student of Transpersonal psychology, I have observed that this field experiences subtraction resistance in its aim to become a coherent and practical specialization within psychology, alongside its long-standing desire for recognition as a legitimate science. This perspective is not intended as a critique of Transpersonal psychology; rather, it seeks to illuminate the essential qualities that the field possesses and highlight how these can differentiate it from the overwhelming jargon that has accumulated through its theoretical frameworks since its inception. By no one's fault, this tendency to equate improvement with addition has caused the evolution of Transpersonal psychology to become convoluted, thickening “the filmiest of screens” to a level of opacity that obscures its true purpose and inhibits its value. This paper presents a thought experiment to demonstrate that less does not necessarily mean loss for Transpersonal psychology. The field can benefit from a clearer focus on investigating meaning in the subjective quality of experience, exploring altered states of consciousness, and examining its healing potential for mental health. Additionally, reflections arising from contemplative practices can help release the grip of the ego, fostering awareness and well-being. The pursuit of complexity is unnecessary, especially if we agree that the neurosciences and findings related to psychobiology can provide it with a foundation for scientific credibility. We will explore what subtraction resistance is, why it is a common human tendency, and what elements can be subtracted from Transpersonal psychology to enhance its transparency and accessibility. Moreover, we will discuss how Transpersonal psychology should incorporate scientific findings from neuroscience and psychobiology, positioning itself as complementary to these fields. For it to gain objective backing, it is essential to clarify that "transpersonal," or "beyond the personal," does not imply "outside the body." Engaging with Transpersonal psychology requires acknowledging that all phenomena originate and persist from physical causation in the brain and are influenced by various chemical and hormonal factors processed by the body. This acknowledgment would not diminish the value of the Transpersonal ideal. Conversely, it would help provide meaning and psychological relief for mental disturbances underpinned by scientific evidence. Importantly, this integration does not negate the subjective nature of individual experiences. Scientific clarification acknowledges that the sources and vehicles of Transpersonal experiences are internal manifestations generated by the body. However, their meanings are subjective and unique to each individual's beliefs and interpretations and therefore, remain distinct from scientific definitions.

The complexities of trauma have been explored since the inception of psychology. Freudian psychoanalysis introduced the concept of Nachträglichkeit, or “belatedness,” suggesting that the effects of trauma are not immediately apparent but instead emerge over time. These effects contain subtleties that are often not directly linked to the traumatic event itself. This emergence can be seen as a camouflaged representation, an altered reflection of how an individual’s psyche manifests trauma in not-so-obvious ways, adopting qualities that are characteristic of its own nature and significance. Using the metaphor of the mythological Minotaur from Knossos, I will argue that trauma can be identified with this monster. The Minotaur symbolizes trauma not because it appears to be traumatized, but because it embodies what trauma might represent if it were a ghastly therianthrope. Additionally, I will describe its habitat, the labyrinth, as a structural passage that—if navigated with virtue—can lead to healing, the slaying of the beast, and hope for personal transformation. This paper aims to conceptualize trauma as a nearly embodied substance, rather than merely a single event or a series of events. Trauma is so powerful that it not only possesses its victim but also reshapes the individual in its image, disfiguring them and parasitically draining their vitality. We will investigate three main philosophies of trauma, focusing particularly on the one that best supports transformation and aligns well with the Minotaur metaphor. We will also examine how trauma influences the nature of memory. Furthermore, we will discuss the dangers of living with trauma, referencing Dr. Gabor Maté and his insights on the life-threatening effects of stress on the body, as detailed in his book When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection (Maté, 2011).

Transpersonal psychology is an evolving field of study first envisioned by William James in his work, The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature (James, 1902). James began showing interest in Eastern mystical traditions and their spiritual aspects, influenced by friendships and exchanges of ideas with open-minded individuals like Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and Indian monk and philosopher Swami Vivekānanda. Consequently, psychology started to appreciate the vastness of human experience, the qualitative essence of life, and the various ineffable states of consciousness. By the 1960s, the field that became known as Transpersonal psychology expanded to include the study of psychedelics, shamanism, and meditative states. This growth was fueled by the research of altered states of consciousness conducted by figures such as Stanislav Grof and Michael Harner. Their work broadened humanity's understanding of consciousness and emphasized the wisdom inherent in subjective experiences that cannot be measured or quantified by traditional scientific methods. This paper argues that a correlation between Transpersonal psychology and Robin Carhart-Harris' entropic brain theory, which suggests that the quality of any conscious experience is determined by the system's entropy, and is assessed through important aspects of brain functionality (Carhart-Harris et al., 2014, p. 1), would enhance our understanding of primary consciousness (alternate states), and incorporate key aspects such as qualia, subjectivity, and meaning into the theory.

The universe may disguise what is most precious and essential to us—what holds the key to unlocking the mysteries of love, life, and higher consciousness. The divine feminine is woven into the fabric of our existence like a thread of gold glittering through ever so slightly and holding firm the stitches of human genius. If we, as a species, were to honor, care for, and recognize this aspect, it could open the universe to a state of incredible completeness and harmony, leading us toward a rebirth of virtue and a deeper understanding of what we are and what we could become. Identifying the original forces that conspired to suppress the feminine and label it as weak, incapable, or unworthy of individual brilliance is challenging. Such suppression raises questions about the insecurities within the masculine that led to feelings of threat and fear and the compulsive desire to hinder the feminine from developing naturally. This hindrance has contributed to a world beset by poor leadership, doubt, war-mongering, and an inflated ego that continuously undermines itself. I want to highlight two literary works that bring the divine feminine to the forefront: Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ Women Who Run with the Wolves (1996) and the portrayal of archetypes such as Mary Magdalene, also presented as Miryam the Migdalah in The Gospel of the Beloved Companion (2011), translated by Jehanne De Quillan. I will explore the intuitive feminine, which has been dismissed throughout history as an obstruction to development, suppressed to the point of near extinction. The failure to embrace feminine manifestations has resulted in a world unbalanced in values and insights where now we find ourselves yearning for meaning, care, and purpose. In our pursuit of progress, we have often exploited our planet and lost touch with our inherent intuitive powers. This oppression has led to a narrow understanding of reality and confusion as we navigate through states of paranoia and uncertainty. We must first recognize the value of what we have lost and admit to the mistakes that have been made. It is essential for us to unite and rekindle the feminine fire, allowing it to warm and guide us out of the shadows.

There was once a time when words held such power that they could penetrate and transform everything they touched. The world was filled with various characteristics that symbolized the same essence. Whether through vibrations, images, or sensations, words came to represent maps, plains, dimensions, states, and the integrative nature of the universe. In Lama Anagarika Govinda’s Foundation of Tibetan Mysticism (Govinda, 2012), readers explore a participant’s journey through time. Here, the structure of the jewel in the lotus, conveyed through the six-syllable auditory precept, OM MANI PADME HUM, reveals itself as a being’s progression towards enlightenment. These unseen forces of wisdom have been invoked throughout the centuries, guiding the mind toward a focal point where everything is realized as fundamental—the very source of all manifestations. Today, modern theoretical science is starting to conceptualize mysticism as a creative process that envisions a relatable reality compatible with contemporary mathematical theories. This bridging of worlds is taking shape, and within Govinda’s studies, we can trace back the significance of the six syllables that have echoed the sounds of the universe, aligning with new scientific discoveries. Quantum field theory, consciousness agents, and the integrated information theory of consciousness all reflect the insights of Tibetan Buddhism and the meaning of OM MANI PADME HUM. Could we be approaching a historical moment where the intuitive practices of mystics align with modern scientific expressions? Is there a potential for consensus between the subjective interpretations of thought and the objective scientific method? These questions prompt a necessary reflection and epistemic exploration toward a unified perspective of consciousness as the universe manifested in being.

It is in the position where one stands that the world reveals itself. All of humanity exists within the species' taxonomy, yet each individual creates a unique set of experiences within their kind. Some forces are beyond our control, but our views, impressions, beliefs, and sense of reality are shaped by perspectives that belong solely to us as individuals. Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil (Nietzsche, 2020) is a masterpiece of iconoclastic thought, expanding philosophy's broad wings to examine its individual components closely. Similarly, The Little Prince (Saint-Exupéry, 1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry presents a story of iconoclasm from a different angle. This paper will argue that while Nietzsche dismantles the values and paradigms of his own time, his observations come from the same viewpoint as those he criticizes. This viewpoint, known as ‘the frog perspective,’ is a concept Nietzsche adopts from contemporary painters of his time (Nietzsche, 2020, p. 10) in his critique of philosophers' prejudices. This low-lying perspective can be attributed to a fixed point in place and time, leading to a narrow scope of understanding. In contrast, Saint-Exupéry’s multi-dynamic perspective illustrates a cosmic journey from naivete to knowledge and its subsequent rebirth. I will also explore Nietzsche’s systematic ‘will to change,’ serving as an agent of doubt, alongside Saint-Exupéry’s ‘will to dream,’ which reveals truth through subconscious revelation. Both methods aim to uncover a deeper understanding of truth.