Quantum Spacetime: Study Links Nishida’s ‘basho’ to Rethinking Geometry for Quantization

The fundamental nature of a point in spacetime presents a long-standing challenge for physicists attempting to reconcile quantum mechanics with gravity. Fedele Lizzi from the University of Naples Federico II and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics, along with colleagues, now proposes a surprising connection between this problem and the philosophical concept of ‘basho’, originally introduced by the Japanese thinker Nishida Kitaro. This research demonstrates that the way points behave within the framework of quantum gravity, particularly in noncommutative geometry, shares striking similarities with Nishida’s notion of ‘basho’ as a relational, context-dependent place, rather than an absolute position. By drawing parallels between these seemingly disparate fields, the team offers a novel perspective on how to conceptualise the very fabric of spacetime and potentially advance the quest for a complete theory of quantum gravity.

Quantum Mechanics and Gravity Probably the most important unresolved issue in contemporary physics is the coming together of quantum mechanics and gravity. Not that we fully understand either, particularly the latter. Richard Feynman, one of the most prominent theoretical physicists of the twentieth century, stated, “I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum gravity. ” This research explores fundamental concepts, such as that of a point, and argues that the local vision of what becomes of classical points in quantum gravity, and specifically in noncommutative geometry, shows several similarities with Nishida’s basho.

Quantum Spacetime, Nishida’s Philosophy, Relational Reality

This text explores the deep connections between cutting-edge theoretical physics, specifically the quest to understand the quantum structure of spacetime, and the philosophical insights of Japanese philosopher Nishida Kitarō. The author argues that the challenges faced in reconciling quantum mechanics with gravity, particularly at the Planck scale, lead to a picture of reality strikingly similar to Nishida’s relational and non-substantial view of existence. Researchers demonstrate that defining a point is surprisingly complex, particularly when considering systems with a vast number of particles, leading to a picture of reality where things are defined by their relationships, not by inherent properties. The work delves into the idea that spacetime at the Planck scale may not be smooth and continuous as described by classical physics, but rather fuzzy or noncommutative.

This leads to the possibility that the very notion of a point in space loses its meaning, and the traditional geometric framework breaks down. The author highlights how attempts to define localization in such a spacetime lead to paradoxes and necessitate abandoning the idea of arbitrarily precise localization. The concept of basho is not simply a physical location, but a relational “place” defined by its context and the interactions within it, emphasizing the interconnectedness of things and the lack of inherent, independent substance. The core argument is that the difficulties in defining localization in quantum spacetime mirror Nishida’s rejection of substantial, independent existence.

Both suggest a reality where things are defined by their relationships, not by inherent properties. The author argues that the need to abandon the notion of a point in physics resonates with Nishida’s denial of a fixed, independent “self” or substance, blurring the lines between ontology and epistemology. In both cases, the act of observation and measurement is intrinsically linked to the nature of reality itself. The text consistently emphasizes the relational nature of reality. In physics, this manifests as the breakdown of traditional geometric notions and the need for relational definitions of space. In Nishida’s philosophy, it’s the core of his concept of basho and his rejection of substantialism. In essence, the author proposes that the challenges in understanding the quantum structure of spacetime are not merely technical problems in physics, but also philosophical ones that resonate with deep insights from Eastern thought.

Defining a Point, Vast Particle Systems

The work explores a fundamental question in physics: what constitutes a point, drawing parallels with philosophical concepts of place developed by Nishida Kitaro. Researchers demonstrate that describing the complete configuration of even a single instantaneous moment requires approximately 10 23 numbers, a dataset so immense that storing it would necessitate a tower of paper reaching a billion light years in height, or equivalently, a thousand billions of terabytes of hard drive space. Despite the impossibility of measuring such a complete configuration, classical mechanics posits its existence, independent of observational limitations. The study highlights a shift in understanding with the advent of relativity, which merges space and time into spacetime.

This represents a revolutionary change in paradigm, yet the underlying geometry remains point-based. Researchers further distinguish between a point and a place, noting that a place inherently implies relational meaning and activity, whereas a point is a more abstract geometrical entity. The work suggests that for a point to become a place, something must occur there, emphasizing the importance of relationality in defining physical reality. Key numerical findings illustrate the scale of the problem of describing a gas classically: the approximate number of numbers required to describe the configuration of a gas with a large number of particles is 10 23. A pile of one thousand billions of terabytes of hard disks would reach a height of one tenth of a light year. These values are presented to illustrate the conceptual implications of these large numbers rather than their absolute accuracy.

Basho And The Relational Point In Physics

This work establishes a connection between the philosophical concept of ‘basho’, originally proposed by Nishida Kitaro, and the challenges inherent in defining a point within the framework of modern physics, particularly in the context of spacetime quantization and noncommutative geometry. The research demonstrates that the limitations encountered when attempting to define a classical point in phase space, due to principles like Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, share conceptual similarities with Nishida’s notion of basho, which emphasizes the relational and contextual nature of existence. By exploring this parallel, the study offers a novel perspective on the fundamental difficulties in reconciling classical geometric intuitions with the principles of quantum mechanics. The investigation highlights how the very act of measurement introduces an inherent uncertainty in defining a particle’s position, effectively dissolving the notion of a fixed point. This aligns with the philosophical understanding of basho, where a ‘place’ is not a fixed location but rather a dynamic and relational event arising from interactions. While acknowledging the simplification of focusing on a single particle in one dimension, the authors contend that these limitations do not invalidate the core conclusions regarding the challenges of defining points in phase space.