Looking at Layers: The Power of Perception

     We left the conversation introducing the idea of systems and their different layers. For this conversation a "layer" of the system will refer to a particular level of organization. The posts in reference to chaos and order more thoroughly explore what is meant by the different layers (see "There's a Method to the Madness") however, considering the following may also help to clarify. Different bodies of knowledge and science in general are dedicated to gathering as much information as possible about specific layers of the system. For example, chemists focus on the layer of atoms and molecules, biologists look at the layers where life exists, environmentalists may analyze the layer of ecosystems and oceans, meteorologists focus on the atmospheric level, astronomers tend to look at the planetary, solar system and even galactic layers. There are obviously many more than those I just mentioned. These layers follow the same infinity principle mentioned previously (see "Two Infinity and Beyond"). On the largest scale, everything is part of one large interrelated system. Without at least one perspective or a point of view, there is no real distinction between the layers. The system as a whole simply exists as a large moving body of mass, and no differentiation of "layers" or "levels" is even possible.

     Now, that may seem like a rather obvious statement. I think the classic line "If a tree falls and there's no one to hear it, does it still make a sound?" attempts to bring our awareness to the same point. A common response or sentiment to that statement is, "who cares?" In that particular scenario, no one actually cares, and the event has no "meaning" in the human sense of the word. However, a defining feature of the human experience (also a defining feature for all other animals, plants, and any other living organism) is that it is restricted to a specific location and therefore has a relative perspective (that is, a singular perspective in relationship to the whole system).

   Any singular point of view does not simply exist. For that point of view to occur some tools are necessary. For anyone reading this those tools likely consist of eyes, ears, nose, skin, mouth and additionally, the most important tool of all, our brain which allows us to synthesize the raw data obtained by the previously mentioned items and turn it into something meaningful. For this reason some branches of philosophy actually suggest a total of six senses in humans that result from those six tools. The last sense being that which occurs as a result from our brain tool, some may call this "intuition", "synthesizing" or simply "thinking".

     Physically speaking, these tools are of a certain size. Each one also has a limited range of input that it can detect. For example, our eyes only see what we know as the color spectrum. Each of the other sense organs have their own relative limits (what might this mean in terms of the mind then?) Because we exist at a certain size and can only detect a specific range of input, we can begin to identify the origin of our relative perspective. Consequently, the layers of the system begin to emerge because of their significance and relationship to us.

     In other words, we identify different layers of the system because of our limited, relative, perspective. The first layers only emerge when we look at the their relationship to us. The most apparent layer is that which we perceive without the help of additional tools (if you want to see it, just look around). Other layers are based on how we observe them in relation to each other. Many layers were never identified prior to tools of modern science such as the telescope, microscope and electromagnetic sensors. For example, our solar system has a relationship to The Milky Way, which also has a relationship to the other galaxies. Comparatively, we are extremely small, therefore those layers are largely understood in relation to each other.

     Here is where I will leave the conversation for today. Thank you so much for joining me here. I know that time can often be an extremely scarce resource, and I do not take your time here for granted. Hopefully this post helps to more clearly explain what I mean by the terms "layer" or "level" of the system. In the future I will attempt to explore their significance in relation to "the learning lens" (see "Clumsiness and Climbing Castles"). Thank you again.