A Mathematical, Thinking Universe

We easily conceptualize a world made of matter, with the universe as its container. We can touch it, see it, and measure it. But should we trust our senses? A philosophical idealist would argue that the universe is made of thought. But how do we even begin to conceptualize the intangible?

One of my earliest memories is a serious explanation of how “1 + 3 = 4,” delivered as if it were the most profound statement ever made. I didn’t understand it at the time, but this was my first encounter with Pythagorean numerology. That experience led me to study Pythagorean philosophy as a young adult, where I felt more at home than in Christianity or Buddhism. Unfortunately, the resources available on Pythagorean philosophy at the time were rather slim, mostly focusing on superficial subjects like numerology and other symbolism. When Donald Hoffman published The Case Against Reality in 2019, I was intrigued—a mathematical view of the universe was gaining traction in the mainstream! Hoffman’s argument that reality is a mental construct and that our senses are not designed to perceive it accurately resonated with me, and I appreciated his use of mathematics to describe his theory.

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