Why can't there be a 12th Dimension having to do with being
self-aware, and please, don't distract from this with too much Spiritual
discussion...?

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Clarification of Question by singularity360cubed-ga on 22 Sep 2005 12:11 PDT

I guess I should clarify...  I understand that with 11 dimensions the
math tends to work out well...  Adding a parallel universe, where
black holes are the places where the two touch, you know, that other
universe where energy is king...

Hi singularity360cubed-ga

  There is open issue in physics on the topic of 'consciousness'

If I follow the pricing guideline for $2 questions, here is that one link:
[
http://dmoz.org/Society/Philosophy/Philosophy_of_Science/Physics/Mind-Body,_Consciousness,_Quantum_Computing/
]

The connection with dimensionality would take more effort, but I may
add  the following:
There is a scientific consensus that geometry suitable for description of
physical phenomena is 4 dimensional space-time also called Minkowski space.

In classical physics (with hinsight) it is decomposed into 3d space and 1d time.

There are theories, which do not argue with that, but which add additional
features to the geometry. They (like 11d string theory) are really 4+n theories
where n can be 1 or 7 ... depending what fields you want to treat as
part of geometry. Here 'geometries' means certain type of mathematical
structures.

So, in principle, one can add structures describing 'mind' to
geometry, however, basic debate we have in physics today (namely: do
we need such a 'thing') needs to be addressed or resolved (not
necessarily beforehand).

 Best intro book to read on this fascinationg issue is 

Penrose: Emperor's new mind
It is probably mentioned in the references listed in the link above.

Hedgie

Discussion of dimensions beyond the usual three is interesting, but
there isn't much scientific consensus on this subject. The concept of
a "12th Dimension having to do with being self-aware" sounds like New
Age spirituality to me, so I'm puzzled that you don't want "too much
spiritual discussion."

Here's a good article about "dimensions":

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdimensions.html

SO what the linked article is saying is that after three dimentions of
space, fourth of time and other measurable variables can be considered
dimentions. in effect all these extra 'dimentions' or variables have
to come together at that point in space at that time to yeild the
result that is on the other side of the equation.