THE BIGGER PICTURE

A debut author blends science and philosophy in this metaphysical reconceptualization of the universe.

“Since the dawn of human history,” writes Vaessen in the book’s opening lines, “mankind has been consumed by an insatiable curiosity to understand the very fabric of existence.” In this exploration of the ubiquitous questions asked by humanity across time and culture (“Why are we here? What is the origin and purpose of life?”), the author begins with an analysis of religion, noting that since the rise of organized civilization, humans have tended to answer these questions with the existence of a deity. First looking at religion through a philosophical lens (for example, cosmological and teleological arguments for the existence of a divine being), Vaessen also includes scientific scrutiny of spiritual systems and considers the failure of empirical evidence to provide insight into the existence of God. Taking a broad view of spiritualism beyond the conventional Abrahamic religions focused on by the West, the author argues that “The Golden Rule” (or, the ethical maxim to treat others as you would like to be treated) is universal to all religions, as well as secular philosophies like humanism. After his analysis of religion, the author transitions to more scientific topics related to quantum physics, Einstein’s theory of general relativity, and the nature of time itself. Blended with his quantitative, data-driven scientific explanations are metaphysical reflections on how they apply to human life and meaning.

Boldly offering a new “model for the Origin of Everything” that blends scientific data with philosophy, the book suggests that engaging with its ideas could “reshape our perception of the universe.” While this sweeping declaration may be overselling things a bit, the work does offer intellectual fodder for those left frustrated by science’s failure to answer questions about meaning and by traditional religious explanations centered around anthropomorphic deities. Calling his theory “Potentiality-based-Panpsychism” (PBP), Vaessen posits the existence of “two intertwined realms”: the first is traditional spacetime as articulated by Einstein, and the second is an existential state the author calls Non-Spacetime, which transcends the confines of spacetime and the laws of physics. A key aspect of PBP is the positioning of consciousness as the primary force that triggered the Big Bang and spacetime as we know it. This concept is intriguing, and a useful thought experiment; Vaessen urges skeptics to approach PBP with an open mind and invites scientists and philosophers alike to dissect its arguments. It is unlikely that most readers will be convinced, though the author displays an impressive interdisciplinary grasp on both metaphysical philosophy and science and a keen awareness of classical philosophy, world religions, and modern scientific theorems. The text’s engagement with complex scientific and philosophical arguments makes for an occasionally jargon-heavy read, though the more scholarly-minded may be dismayed by a lack of formalized citations and references. Helpful charts, diagrams, and other visual aids are provided throughout the book, and each chapter includes “Key Takeaways” and summaries, which help to mitigate against the more esoteric passages. While his self-aggrandizing claims often ring hollow, Vaessen offers a rare blend of science and philosophy that provides ample avenues for readers to question existing paradigms in an intellectually safe environment.

A fascinating—if not particularly convincing—theory of everything.