Progress Report – December 2006

1. Introduction

Much has happen in the 2 years since my last progress report. During that time my studies have been wide and varied. It should be noted this is a summary of my deeds, thoughts, and intentions. A detailed overview of the results of my studies will be published in due course.

My immediate tasks are:

2. Goethe and my Academic Studies

When I was in Dumfries, Scotland, I studied some part-time undergraduate courses at the the Crichton College of Glasgow University. My purpose was threefold-fold. Firstly I wished to discover how a Goethean scientific paradigm might be considered in mainstream academic thought. Secondly, I wished to learn something of the ways of thinking within mainstream schools of philosophy, science, and the humanities. Last, but not least, I hoped that my studies could lead to a Ph.D. Sadly I have discovered that turning my studies into a doctoral thesis is extremely unlikely, at least in the immediate future.

However, I have not given up hope just yet. There is a one year postgraduate M.Sc. course run by the Schumacher College in 'Holistic Science', which has its roots in Goethean Science. Funds would be required to cover:

Places are limited to just 13 students per year, so there is competition to enrol, but it is the best opportunity for gaining academic recognition of my Goethean studies and potentially that of the Holleman Stichting's biological transmutation research. The deadline for applications is the end of April; term starts in September. I feel my current priority though, is that of producing the support materials necessary for a successful funding application to enable the implementation of a well designed series of biological transmutation experiments. Perhaps this course is something for next year (2008)? I wish to conduct a major review of the biological transmutation experiments of other researchers, who seem to be more numerous than I first suspected. This would be a large project, unlikely to be completed before September. Articles could be written, and contacts made to raise the profile of the Stichting, increasing the chances of a successful application. Postponing my application till next year makes a lot more sense.

My part-time university studies proved extremely useful. In a 2nd year course on the philosophy of history I was able to develop my knowledge of Goethe's scientific philosophical ideas; especially his overcoming of the dualism of the subject-object divide, and of the gap between the observer and the observed. I was able bring together in an essay:

I was exploring possible approaches to the acquisition of meaning in science. This, I have more recently been surprised to discover, may be even more important than I had conceived, but more about that later. I had written about a method of acquiring knowledge of the world that sits at the very heart of Rudolf Steiner's Anthroposophical Spiritual Science. It was an important test for my uncertain faith in the development of a Goethean paradigm. I need not have been concerned. My mark was the highest ever awarded by my lecturer and his judgement was confirmed by the commendation given by the external examiner. I therefore feel able to conclude, that at a foundational level, such philosophical ideas are largely acceptable to mainstream philosophy and science. However it must be emphasised that the edifice of Spiritual Science which Steiner built on upon these foundations has not been accepted.

I was further able to explore the nature of meaning as detailed in Bortoft's book in another 2nd year philosophy course; 'Knowledge, Meaning, and Inference', even though, for historical reasons, the course was largely analytical in bias. The first part of the course was on Plato's most philosophically challenging work, the 'Theaetetus' which concerns the nature of knowledge. I proposed in another essay that Plato was aware of its holistic nature such as later characterised by the hermeneutic circle; the meaning of a whole (such as that of a sentence) is contained within the meaning of each of its parts (the words of which a sentence is composed). Individual words can have a wide range of meanings, depending on their context. So to understand the meaning of a word in a particular sentence one needs to understand the meaning of the whole sentence. Yet to understand the meaning of the sentence one needs to understand the meanings of each of the words of which it is composed. Using the formal rules of analytical logic this is an impossible paradox. Even the most sophisticated of computer translations are generally nonsensical because they only deal with information; they do not (can never?) acquire meaning. Yet children learn to do this before they are 2 years old! As I mentioned earlier, I will return to the important question of meaning later in this report.

3. Taking Goethe Further

By early 2004 I felt confident enough in the philosophical foundations of a Goethean paradigm to take them further. I had discovered in the linked space and counterspace research of Nick Thomas, a new mathematical physics based on just such foundations, that appeared to have the potential to provide a framework within which the biological transmutation of chemical elements may be understood. Nevertheless, it is still very much a work in progress and a long way from fulfilling any such potential. Also it was highly technical and I was not qualified to make an independent assessment of Thomas's work. Fortunately an opportunity arose to present it to what I believed to be open-minded scientists with Professor Biberian's invitation to make a presentation of my studies to the 11th International Conference on Cold Fusion (ICCF11) in October 2004. Such nuclear physicists would be very much qualified to make a reasoned assesment.

What I discovered was just how little I knew. Even though mainstream science has recognised that it is not based on rigorous philosophical foundations (David Bohm, 1980, Wholeness and the Implicate Order; Roger Penrose, 1989, The Emperor's New Mind; Lee Smolin, 2001, Three Roads to Quantum Gravity; John Ziman, 1984, An Introduction to Science Studies: The Philosophical and Social Aspects of Science and Technology), it continues as if it does for the sake of historical continuity. This is only possible as long as scientists do not consider the meaning of their studies. For example, at a purely formal, mathematical level, quantum physics makes extremely accurate predictions of physical phenomena, but their models are defined as being without meaning (meaningless). Surprisingly, most alternative paradigms are largely based on these self same uncertain formal, mathematical foundations. My attempt to introduce a Goethean scientific paradigm, whose primary aim is that of meaning, to open-minded nuclear physics was unsuccessful. It was too far removed from their own experience to be considered worthy of even a passing interest.

To develop such a new paradigm, I need to build bridges between their differing points of view. I needed to become familiar with both mainstream and alternative (complimentary) Goethean paradigms. Fortunately the mathematical tools used by both (though in different ways) are the same. The mathematics that I learned at school and first year at university (alongside physics, chemistry and biology) was not at an advanced enough level to understand the Goethean linked space and counterspace research of Nick Thomas (2001, The Science Between Space and Counterspace). Though I was extremely pleased to discover the Nobel Prize winning physicist Gerard 't Hooft's website “How to Become a Good Theoretical Physicist”, which provides free on-line resources to teach oneself mathematical physics, this was no alternative to learning in a classroom with a teacher.

Reviewing my situation led me to leave Scotland for my home town of Brighton. Brighton is an easier base from which to travel to meet people, both in the UK and abroad; it possesses a Goethean expert at Sussex University; an Anthroposophical mathematician; and bigger libraries. This I did in March 2005.

4. Holistic Meaning

At about this time I realised a need to acquire a deeper understanding of holism, and of holistic science in particular. All of my studies have supported such a view. This involved my reading, or at least obtaining an overview, of the work of David Bohm, Henri Bortoft, Geoffrey Chew, Paul Davies, Brian Goodwin, Douglas Hofstadter, Gerard 't Hooft, Stuart Kauffman, Ernst Mach, Maturana and Varela, Mary Midgley, Anthony O'Hear, Karl Pribram, Ilya Prigogine, Lee Smolin, and others, especially those involved in the understanding of quantum physics, and of human consciousness. Classical physics is, in general, an analytic, reductive science and has involved a study of linear systems amenable to such an approach. Systems theory (the most interesting development of which being the work of Maturana and Varela, and popularised in the works of Fritjof Capra) is an attempt to extend such ideas to non-linear systems. The hermeneutic circle is just such an example of a non-linear system. It is a feedback loop that transcends levels of meaning in ways analogous to the paradoxical drawings of M.C. Escher. Such 'strange loops' have been studied by Hofstadter. They have been shown by Goodwin, and Kauffman, to be an essential characteristic of all living organisms, which exist at the very boundaries between creative chaos and cosmic order. It should be noted that, for various reasons, their views are not accepted by all mainstream scientists, for their studies are on the very boundaries of academic science (they are too far removed from the academic experience of more traditionally minded scientists). Since the 1980's, when such ideas were damned with the label of being 'fashionable', it has been extremely difficult for such research to obtain funding. Nevertheless, their views essentially remain part of the same formal mathematical-physics paradigm. The need for work on a new paradigm remained.

5. Computerised Communications

In order to find ways of organising and communicating all this information I continued to improve my knowledge of computing. After the ICCF11 conference I revised my website - www.scienceinthegreen.co.uk – improving the underlying HTML/CSS coding and adding a version of the projective geometry, linked space-counterspace, research I had recently presented. During the past 2 years though, my site has not had a significant update; its future role remains an open question. By July 2005 I had completed a rewrite (content, design, and coding) of the Holleman Stichting's own site. As a result the site became one of the highest profile sites on the subject of biological transmutations on the Internet. Since then the site has been responsible for several people requesting support for their own biological transmutation interests.

Meanwhile, I explored the use of an on-line, Internet diary (a WordPress web-log or 'blog') as a means of communicating my ongoing findings. The underlying technology, a 'content management system', used the same underlying programming languages (PHP, MySQL) as the Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia that anyone can edit, which exceeds the Encyclopaedia Britannica in length; in many areas in depth, and sometimes, though not always, in accuracy. Content management systems are ideal for cross referencing a wide range of information such that it can begin to form a coherent whole. Some time later I replaced my blog with a more ambitious Internet project; I decided to create my own freely editable, cross-referenceable site using the same underlying program as the Wikipedia, in order to explore the world conception of both Goethe, and of those that he influenced. This new interactive website – http://ccgi.davidc.force9.co.uk/goethe – was called GoetheWiki, for such freely editable interactive websites are known as wikis.

Goethe's ideas, like those of most other people, were developed over the course of his own lifetime. Therefore I studied biographies of Goethe, as well as his own scientific writings. These provided content for my newly created site. I was also required to study the enormously sophisticated MediaWiki software that drove the site. The Wikipedia is successful both because a large number of people use, edit and create new articles (they feel a sense of community ownership), and because there are trained staff/volunteers able to facilitate this process in constructive ways. Any misuse or vandalism is quickly discovered and simple procedures for dealing with such incidents are able to be quickly and easily implemented. With a sufficient volume of knowledgeable users, such a site becomes self policing. Since I was not (and still am not!) completely familiar with all these procedures; of how to implement them, and which policies were relevant to the GoetheWiki, I therefore am delaying advertising its existence until I have both good quality content, and some good practice guidelines in place.

6. Poetry and Science

Meanwhile, a particular phrase of Goethe's kept resonating in my mind:

They forgot that science arose from poetry, and did not see that when times change the two can meet again on a higher level as friends.

This is from an essay he wrote in response to critics of his Metamorphosis of Plants. Not having read the essay I can only speculate on what Goethe may have meant. Perhaps he was referring to the fact that the earliest of Ancient Greek philosophers wrote in poetry. This may be due to the fact that, on a deeper level, poetry is the most exacting form of expression that language may use to communicate meaning. Goethe was a master of the use of poetry to communicate his own scientific observations and ideas. Nevertheless many scientists, such the distinguished chemist Peter Atkins, believe that: 'Although poets may aspire to understanding, their talents are more akin to entertaining self-deception.' Yet the philosopher Mary Midgley (Science and Poetry) showed that, paradoxically, the materialist paradigm that gave rise to such a view was in fact inspired by a poem; the epic epicurean poem 'De Rerum Naturae' by the Roman, Lucretius, which became popular during the Renaissance! In response to this I felt moved to write my own epic poem titled 'Poetry and Science' to introduce such ideas to an audience of 'young', open minded people, at the 'Catalyst Club' in September 2006. My performance was really well received, though it is doubtful that I converted anyone to a life-long study of Goethe, Goethean Science, or a search for 'poetic truth'. To do that I realised I would have to give a second, interactive, performance designed to enable the audience to directly experience such truths for themselves. This would take some work to prepare, but would be an extremely exciting and hopefully worthwhile activity. It could be used as an introduction to a series of evening classes I could give on Goethean Science. Not only would it be educational for the participants, it would help me enormously in gaining living experience of Goethe's vision. This is now a thought to be put aside for the future.

7. Taking Stock

Meanwhile, shortly before my performance I joined Sophia on a weeks holiday to Tintagel Castle and the Druid stone circles of Penmaenmawr, both of which were visited by Rudolf Steiner. During this time we discussed the importance of putting together a funding application for Professor Biberian to continue his experimental research, and for me to continue my own studies. Some doubts were expressed regarding the feasibility of Biberian's request for funding for a mass-spectrometer capable of isotopic analyses of biological materials. Such a machine is expensive, and we were concerned by the lack of detail in Biberian's earlier research proposal, and that further information was required before a new funding proposal could be submitted. I felt that a detailed review of the whole subject of biological transmutations, both in particular, and in general was required in order to reassess how Professor Holleman's research might best be furthered. Especially during the past 2½ years I have gathered much information from a wide variety of sources which I have yet to synthesise into a coherent whole. Therefore I felt unable to formally commit myself to making any recommendations without first reviewing all I have learnt. I felt that this is essential before any further funding proposals are made.

8. Projective Geometry

Sophia also encouraged me to visit the anthroposophical mathematician and projective geometer Paul Courtney, who gives projective geometry classes to a small group every Wednesday evening and who also participates in a natural-geometry/metamorphosis/water study group once a month at Emerson College. This is a group that originated to help and support John Wilkes' 'Virbela' Flowform water research organisation. Paul Courtney's aim was to provide the group with a conceptual language, based on projective geometry, with which we might understand the workings of the 4 ethers that may be, in part, responsible for the properties of water. Paul's approach is (luckily for me) purely geometrical, working with just pencil, paper, ruler and compass, and does not expect us to make use of formal algebraic mathematics. The projective-geometric world is beyond my everyday experience; strange, beautiful, and sublime, in which the dynamic relationships between points, lines and planes, metamorphose into beautiful curves, and which never ceases to amaze me (though often confuses as well).

9. Transmutation Presentation

Also, with encouragement from Sophia, I wrote up Biberian's extremely challenging marine bacteria transmutation experiments. At this time I was reading an excellent book on 'The Atom in the History of Human Thought' by Bernard Pullman. This helped me write a review of my biological transmutation studies for a presentation to the Natural Geometry group. Whilst I initially wished to merely present my initial interpretation of Nick Thomas' Goethean linked space-counterspace paradigm, I was informed that they would rather hear of Holleman and Biberian's experimental results. Fortunately I was offered a full day workshop opportunity to be able to do both. Sadly Jannie Möller was unable to attend, though Sophia was a welcome addition to the group. Approximately 9 people attended, mostly regulars, but I had also invited Nick Hawkins, a cold fusion physicist from London with an interest in biological transmutation. The talk, given on the 17th of December, seemed to be another success. It will be interesting to hear of any further feedback when the group meets again in January.

10. Website Improvements

A week or so before the talk Sophia had redesigned the Holleman website with the help from Jannie and a web-designer. Its new look was much more beautiful and inspirational. The evening after my talk we discussed a few minor improvements, including the design of a new front page. I managed to incorporate most of the changes. Because I have perfectionist tendencies I also recoded the site with the intention that it fully conformed to the highest standards of construction, design, and accessibility. Further work is still needed to finish what I started.

11. Life Ether: Meaning, Holism, Nuclear Reactions, and Transmutations

Those with good memories may recall I mentioned, several pages ago, that my philosophical studies did not take me as far from biological transmutations as I had thought. In preparation for the talk at Emerson College, I read (re-read, though my first reading, several years ago, meant almost nothing) Georg Unger's book 'On Nuclear Energy and the Occult Atom', in which he wrote about the 4 ethers (warmth, light, chemical, life) which I have been struggling to understand. I also read some of the writings of Ernst Lehrs, Olive Whicher, Lawrence Edwards, and most recently, Nick Thomas. In particular Unger wrote about the 4th ether which is generally referred to as the life ether. Like the 3rd, chemical ether, it apparently manifests itself in different ways. The life ether is, according to Steiner and those who have developed his ideas, responsible for the sub-natural processes of nuclear reactions which are involved in biological transmutations. It is also holistically organising, associated with life processes, and also with 'meaning'. This would relate the life ether to the 'strange loops' of Douglas Hofstadter in his book 'Gödel, Escher, Bach'. The breadth and depth of all of my studies appear to be involved with this ether. Rudolf Steiner refers to the sub-natural aspects of this ether as the 'third force' (the others are electric and magnetic). It has been associated with cosmic harmony (the music of the spheres – the Higher Devachan). When Steiner first spoke of this power early in the 20th century (he referred to 'evil' beings called the Asuras) he stated that human-kind was not ready to work with this force. It may be crucial to our future development that we do work with them, but only once we have learnt to conduct our affairs in a healthy way, guided by the threefold social order (which I learnt about at a conference I attended whilst at Camphill about 15 years ago). At the New Year's Eve party hosted by Paul Courtney I was informed of Paul Emberson who leads a Swiss organisation called Anthro-Tech, which has a study centre on the Isle of Mull. He has written a book called 'Gondishapur to Silicon Valley'. Anthro-Tech is concerned with the research and development of 'moral etheric technologies'. These include the mysterious Strader Machine which Steiner indicated would be built in the future using the third force. Whilst at Camphill in Gloucestershire (a village community for adults with learning difficulties based on Steiner's ideas) excerpts from Steiner's 3rd Mystery Drama were performed in which I played the part of Strader. a scientist who develops (in the 4th drama) a machine enabling people to directly communicate with each other by way of a process analogous to telepathy. The Strader machine was supposed to work in ways similar to the mysterious Keely Engine of the late 19th century. Though not all Anthroposophists agree, Steiner almost certainly believed that this third force is related, at least in part, to the forces involved in nuclear reactions. Since biological transmutations are also considered as involving nuclear reactions, a study of the life ether and its associated 3rd force is worthy of futher consideration.

12. New Year Resolutions

I am still very much wishing to continue with the Holleman Stichting. Writing this report, especially after my recent meetings with Sophia and the presentation at Emerson, I discovered that there is so much more that I wish to do for the Stichting. In summary:

Wishing you all the best for 2007, whatever it may bring,

David Cuthbertson