Polemarchus: So you say that, if there are multiple universes, then they are all encapsulated in a larger, unifying context, like eggs in an egg carton?
Socrates: I do say so.
Polemarchus: And what if I say that there are many egg cartons?
Socrates: Then I say that there is one egg truck in which all the egg cartons may fit.
Polemarchus: And if there are many egg trucks?
Socrates: Then there is one land containing all the egg trucks.
Polemarchus: But if there are many lands, then...?
Socrates: Then there is one world on the surface of which all the lands exist.
Polemarchus: And if there are many worlds?
Socrates: Then there is one solar system containing those many worlds.
Polemarchus: But if there are many solar systems? Then what?
Socrates: Then there exists one galaxy that embraces them all.
Polemarchus: Indeed? And if there are many galaxies?
Socrates: Then there is one universe that contains all galaxies.
Polemarchus: You flabbergast me! And if there are many universes?
Socrates: Then there is one multiverse or omniverse. No matter how many "manies" there are, there will always be the One—the one all-encompassing context that includes the multitude of manies.
Polemarchus: But what if the one/many progression simply goes on and on forever—for all the manies, a One, for the many Ones, a meta-One, for the many meta-Ones, a meta-meta-One, and so on?
Socrates: Then, my dear Polemachus, there exists a single, unifying context in which resides that infinite progression. There is no escaping the One.
_
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
"one reality" redux
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