Psi'cology:

The Physics of Psychology

By Sonia Elkes

“It would be most satisfactory of all if physics and psyche could be seen as complementary aspects of the same reality...the only acceptable point of view appears to be one that recognizes both sides of reality — the quantitative and

the qualitative, the physical and the psychical — as compatible with each other, and can embrace them simultaneously.” —Wolfgang Pauli, Nobel Laureate, in

dialogue with psychologist C.G.Jung

The structure of physics appears to lend itself beautifully to helping inform a

better, more objective understanding of psychology. This is because when

psychological terms are substituted self-consistently into well-established

physics formulas, meaningful and relevant psychological phenomena emerge.

Consequently, it’s worth considering whether all aspects of psychology might

turn out to have precise corollaries within the field of physics.

I am tentatively suggesting that psychology parallels physics and that perhaps

therein lies an untapped mutual value. Psychology looks, smells, tastes and

feels like physics, yet it is not physics, nor is it derived from physics -- it

appears to simply be analogous and therefore follows the same mathematical

rules.

If there did turn out to be a useful equivalence between physics and

psychology, my hope is that this could pave the way for mathematically-

informed, simple and more-straightforward treatments for what are currently

not well-understood nor easily treatable mental health conditions and crises.

“Man cannot stand a meaningless life,” according to Wolfgang Pauli, and what

follows is an attempt to sketch out the beginnings of a mathematical proof of

that statement, by demonstrating how the laws of physics and gravity seem to

apply in full to the mental realm.

Borrowing from physics formulas, if:

● Matter = Change

○ Where Matter, at absolute zero temperature = Truth

● Mass = Belief ● Velocity = Thinking ● Speed of Light (c) = Knowing, as in Certainty

○ Where c^2 = Recognition, as in ‘knowing knowing’

● Distance = Distinction, as in Discrepancy

○ Where d^2 = Dissonance

● Acceleration = Expectation● Time = Awareness, as in Attention

○ Where t^2 = Consciousness, as in ‘awareness of awareness’

● Momentum = Perception● Force = Feeling● Gravity = Meaning ● Gravitational Constant = 6.67 x 10^ -11 Nm^2/kg^2 = Care

Constant, (measured in Units of Attachment)● Force of Gravity = Caring● Work = Productivity● Power = Competence● Energy = Energy, as in Motivation● Electromotive Force = Emotion

And more specifically…

Mass (m) = Belief, as in Thought (‘a coherent collection of information’); where:

● a large ‘m’ in numerator = Belief (massive collection of belief)

● a large ‘m’ in denominator = Sense (minimal collection of belief)● m^2 = Faith (belief in belief)● if m = 0 then Non-belief, as in a ‘Philosophical zombie’ (lacking

all belief)● -m = Disbelief (anti-belief)● a large -m in numerator = Shock (massive disbelief)● a large -m in denominator = Surprise (minimal disbelief)● -m^2 = Skepticism (disbelief of disbelief)

Velocity (v) = Thinking, as in Cognition (beliefs/thought in motion); where:● a large v in the numerator = Learning (maximal thinking)● a large v in the denominator = Intuiting (minimal thinking)● v^2 = Judging (thinking thinking)● if v = 0 then Acceptance, like a Meditative State (lack of all

thinking)● -v = Ignoring (anti-motion of beliefs/thoughts)● large -v in the numerator = Avoiding (maximal ignoring) ● Large -v in the denominator = Neglecting (minimal ignoring) ● -v^2 = Denial (ignoring ignoring)

Speed of Light (c) = Knowing, as in Certainty where

● [approaching] c in the numerator = Clarity (increasing knowing)● [approaching] c in the denominator = Instinct (decreasing

knowing) ● c^2 = Recognition, as in Familiarity (knowing knowing)● c^3 = Enlightenment (knowing knowing knowing)● If c = 0 then Naivete, as in Ignorance (such as in a black hole,

where light gets trapped by strong gravitational pull)● -c (c slows down when passing through a medium) = Forgetting

(anti-knowing)● [approaching] -c in the numerator = Amnesia (maximal

forgetting)● [approaching] -c in the denominator = Absent-mindedness,

(minimal forgetting)

● -c^2 = Uncertainty (forgetting forgetting)

Energy (E) = Energy, (as in motivation or impetus); where:● a large E in the numerator = Drive, as in Will (maximal energy)● A large E in the denominator = Desire, as in Want (minimal

energy)● E^2 in the numerator = Compulsion (drive of drive)● If E = 0 then Rest● -E = Stress (anti-energy, as in demotivation)● a large -E in the numerator = Nervous Breakdown (maximal

stress)● a large - E in the denominator = Irritation (minimal stress)● -E^2 = Frustration (stress of stress)

Momentum (p) = Perception (thinking that has ‘direction & magnitude’, as in ‘implications’); where:

● a large p in the numerator = Projection (massive perception)● a large p in the denominator = Observation (minimal

perception)● p^2 = Conscientiousness (perception of perception)● if p = 0 then Obliviousness (lack of perception)● -p = Reflection (anti-perception)● a large -p in the numerator = Flashback (massive reflection)● a large -p in the denominator = Vague Recollection (minimal

reflection)● -p^2 = Memory (reflection of reflection)

Acceleration (a) = Expectation (an increase in rate of thinking); where:● A large a in the numerator = Confidence (strong expecting)● A large a in the denominator = Wonder (minimal expecting)● a^2 in the numerator = Excitement (expectation of expectation)● if a = 0 then Assumption (no expectation, passive); Taking for

Granted (no expectation, active)

● -a = Doubt (a decrease in rate of thinking)● a large -a in the numerator = Questioning (major doubt)● a large -a in the denominator = Misgiving (minimal doubt)● -a^2 in the numerator = Confusion (doubt doubt)

Time (t) = Awareness (paying attention); where:● a large t in numerator = Attention (maximal awareness)● a large t in denominator = Notice (minimal awareness)● t^2 = Consciousness (awareness of awareness)● t^3 = Self-Awareness (awareness of awareness of awareness)● t^4 = ‘Feeling Watched’ (awareness of awareness of

awareness of awareness)● if t = 0 then Unconsciousness (lack of awareness, passive);

Asleep (lack of awareness, active); So: t approaching → 0 = Tired● -t = Distraction (as in anti-awareness)● a large -t in numerator = Agitation (maximal distraction)● a large -t in denominator = Wonder (minor distraction)● -t^2 = Subconscious Awareness (distraction of distraction)

Distance (d) = Discrepancy, as in Distinction; where:● a large d in numerator = Disagreement (major distinction)● a large d in denominator = Variation (minimal distinction)● d^2 = Dissonance, as in Discord (distinction distinction)

○ And r^2 = Contradiction (disagreement of disagreement)

● if d = 0 then Equivalence, as in Indistinguishability (lack of distinction, passive); Entanglement (lack of distinction, active)

● -d = Resemblance, as in Similarity (anti-distinction)● a large -d in numerator = Agreement (strong resemblance)● a large -d in denominator = Commonality (minimal

resemblance)● -d^2 = Resonance, as in Accord (relationship of relationship)● -r^2 = Corroboration (as in ‘agreement of agreement’)

Force (F) = Feeling, as in ‘Moved’ (positively); where:● a large (+) F in numerator = Attraction (maximally ‘moved’

positively)● a large (+) F in denominator = Interest (minimal ‘moved’,

positively)● F^2 = Obsession (‘moved’ by ‘moved’, positively)● if F = 0 then Numbness, as in Apathy (lack of feeling, passive);

Ambivalence (lack of feeling, active)● -F = Repulsion (anti-feeling, or ‘moved’ negatively)● a large (-) F in numerator = Horror (maximally ‘moved’

negatively)● a large (-F) in denominator = Disinterest (minimally ‘moved’

negatively)● -F^2 = Contempt (‘moved’ by ‘moved, negatively)

Work (W) = Productivity; where:● a large W in numerator = Accomplishment (great productivity)● a large W in denominator = Progress (minimal productivity)● W^2 = Purpose (productivity of productivity)● if W = 0 then Unproductivity (lack of productivity, passive);

Resistance (non-productivity, active)● -W = Counter-productivity (anti-productivity)● a Large -W in numerator = Failure (major counterproductivity)● a large -W in denominator = Regression (minor

counterproductivity)● -W^2 = Pointlessness (counterproductive counterproductivity)

Power (P) = Competence; where:● a large P in numerator = Giftedness, as in Strength (maximal

competence)● a large P in denominator = Adequacy, as in Weakness (minimal

competence)

● P^2 = Usefulness (competence of competence)● if P = 0 then Non-competence, as in Unskilled (lack of

competence, passive); Helplessness (lack of competence, active)● -P = Ineptitude (anti-competence)● a large -P in numerator = Clusiness (maximal ineptitude)● a large -P in denominator = Awkwardness (minimal ineptitude)● -P^2 = Dangerous (ineptitude ineptitude)

Then...

1) Velocity = Distance / Time means Thinking = Discrepancy / NoticeThinking results from noticing discrepancy.

And likewise:● -v = -d / t ……… Ignoring = Resemblance / Notice

(Ignoring, as in ‘tuning out,’ results from noticing resemblance.) ● -v = d / -t ……… Ignoring = Discrepancy / Distraction

(Ignoring happens by distracting from discrepancy)● v t = Thinking x Awareness = Discrepancy

(Awareness of thinking reveals discrepancy; (being able to see discrepancies makes choosing between options easier)

● -vt = -d……… Ignoring x Awareness = Resemblance (Focus on ignoring yields resemblance; Actively ignoring our thoughts reveals similarity, makes things seem less distinct/defined)

● v (-t) = -d…..Distraction from Thinking = Resemblance (Distraction from thinking yields resemblance; we see things as less distinct when we are distracted from thinking, again causing decreased ability to judge or choose between option)

2.) Velocity = Acceleration x Time means Thinking = Expectation x Awareness

Thinking results from awareness of expectations. And likewise:

● -v = (-a) t ...…… Ignoring = Awareness of Doubt (Ignoring results from paying attention to our doubts)

● -v = a (-t)……… Ignoring = Distraction x Expectation (Ignoring results when we distract from our expectations)

● v / t = a………... Thinking / Notice = Expectation (Expectations are the product of noticing our thinking.)

● -v / t = -a……….. Ignoring / Notice = Doubt (Noticing ignoring produces doubt)

● v / a = t……..Thinking / Uncertainty = Awareness (Awareness is produced by uncertainty in our thinking)

Note equivalence:Thinking = Awareness of Expectations = Noticing Discrepancy

3.) Momentum (p) = Mass (m) x Velocity (v) means Perception = Belief x Thinking

Perception is the result of believing our thinking.And likewise:● -p = (-m) v ……….. Reflection = Disbelieving Thinking

(Disbelief of thinking triggers reflection) ● -p = (m)(-v) ……….Reflection = Ignoring Believing

(Reflection results from ignoring what we believe)● p / m = v…………..Believing projection = Thinking

(Thinking is the product of believing our projections) ● p / v = m………….Perception Intuition = Belief

(Belief results from perceiving intuition)

4.) Work = Power x Time means Productivity = Competence x Awareness Productivity results from a focus on competence

And likewise:● -W = -P x t…..Counterproductivity = Awareness x Ineptitude

(Counterproductivity is the result of a focus on ineptitude)● -W = P x -t…….Counterproductivity = Competence x Distraction

(Distraction from competence results in counterproductivity)

● W / P = t………..Accomplishment / Adequacy = Attention (Adequate accomplishment results in attention)

● W / t = P…………Productivity / Distraction = Competence (Productivity that is maintained even when distracted is competence.)

● -W / P = -t………Failure / Adequacy = Distraction (Failure at an adequate level becomes a distraction)

● W / -P = -t……..Productivity / Awkwardness = Distraction (Productivity marred by awkwardness is distracting)

6.) Force = Mass x Acceleration means Feeling = Belief x ExpectationFeeling is the result of believing our expectations

And likewise: ● -F = -m (a)…..Repulsion = Disbelief x Expectation

(Repulsion results from expecting disbelief (shock)) ● -F / -m = a…….Repulsion / Disbelief = Expectation

(Expectation results from feeling repulsed by disbelief (shock))● -F / a = -m……. Repulsion / expectation = Disbelief

(Disbelief (shock) results from feeling repulsed by expectation) ● F / -a = -m……. Feeling / Doubt = Disbelief

(Disbelief (shock) results from doubting feelings) ● F / a = m…….Feeling / Expectation = Belief

(Belief results from feeling expectation) ● -F = m (-a)…….Repulsion = Believing Doubts

(Repulsion results from believing our doubts, aka doubting our beliefs)

7.) Force of Gravity = Gravitational Constant x (Mass 1 x Mass 2 / radius^2) means Caring = Care Constant x (Belief 1 x Belief 2 / Contradiction); where

● Gravitational Constant = 6.67 x 10^-11 = Care Constant● (Belief 1 x Belief x / Contradiction) = Cognitive Dissonance

Caring is the result of being forced to reconcile two distinct beliefs, divided by how much they contradict each other (also known as ‘Cognitive dissonance’),

multiplied by a ‘Care Constant’.

8.) Energy (E) = Mass (m) x Speed of Light (c) ^2 means Energy = Belief x RecognitionEnergy is the result of recognizing what we already believe, as in Confirmation

bias. And likewise: ● -E = (-m) c^2………...Stress = Disbelief Recognition

(Stress results from disbelief (being shocked) by recognition) ● -E = m (-c)^2……….Stress = Belief Uncertainty

(Stress results from uncertainty about belief) ● E / m = c^2………...Energy / Belief = Recognition

(Recognition results from the energy of our beliefs) ● E / c^2 = m………..Energy / Recognition = Belief

(Belief are the product of our energy being recognized)

Resources:

● Comments, suggestions, feedback and collaborations welcome. Please email Sonia at soniaelkes@gmail.com