In this article we examine some key terms used to describe the Recursive Reality Project’s core premise and assess whether there are more appropriate alternatives. This is important for ensuring clarity and precision.
Knower and Known
We start with term “knower” (the entity that is aware) and “known” (the object of awareness).
Terms for the Entity That Is Aware
- Knower: Common in philosophical contexts, emphasising knowledge or awareness.
- Observer: Frequently used in science (e.g., quantum mechanics) to describe the entity interacting with or measuring a system.
- Perceiver: Highlights sensory or cognitive awareness, often used in phenomenology.
- Self: Used in metaphysical and psychological contexts to represent the entity experiencing or knowing.
- Subject: Philosophical term emphasising the relational role of the entity in contrast to the “object.”
- Consciousness: Encompasses the broader state of being aware.
- Mind: Traditional term linking awareness to cognition and thought.
- Awareness: A more abstract term, sometimes used as a noun representing the knower.
Terms for the Object of Awareness
- Known: Matches “knower” and emphasises what is being understood or realized.
- Observed: Paired with “observer,” often used in scientific and experimental contexts.
- Perceived: Aligns with “perceiver,” focusing on the sensory or interpretive aspect.
- Object: Philosophical counterpart to “subject,” representing what is acted upon or experienced.
- Entity: Neutral, generic term representing the “other” in a relationship.
- Reality: Broad term suggesting the external or constructed domain of what is known.
- Distinction: Particularly relevant to our framework, highlighting the created separation between knower and known.
- Awareness-Content: A term used in some philosophical discussions to describe what fills awareness.
Pairings
Depending on the nuances we wish to emphasize, different pairings may suit our framework:
- Knower and Known: Emphasises the cognitive relationship.
- Observer and Observed: Highlights measurement or interaction.
- Perceiver and Perceived: Focuses on sensory or interpretive awareness.
- Subject and Object: Philosophically rich, emphasising relational dynamics.
- Self and Other: Used in metaphysical contexts to describe differentiation and unity.
- Awareness and Content: Abstract, suitable for discussions of universal or cosmic awareness.
- Distinction-Maker and Distinction: Reflects the act of creating separations in our framework.
To Know
For the knower and known, the dynamic action between them is typically described by the verb “to know”. However, what are alternative verbs that can capture the dynamic interaction between these two entities?
- To Know: Is the most direct and commonly used verb for describing the relationship between the knower and the known. It emphasises cognitive awareness or understanding.
- To Observe: Focuses on the act of paying attention or noticing. Common in scientific contexts (e.g., the observer effect in quantum mechanics).
- To Perceive: Emphasises sensory or intuitive awareness. Suggests interpretation or judgment beyond mere observation.
- To Recognize: Highlights identification or acknowledgment of the known.
- To Be Aware Of: A broad term encompassing any state of consciousness regarding the known.
- To Distinguish: Focuses on creating or recognising separations between entities. Particularly relevant to our framework of recursive distinctions.
- To Engage With: Implies active interaction between the knower and the known.
- To Generate: Suggests that the act of knowing produces or creates distinctions. Aligns with our concept of emergent complexity.
- To Realise: Conveys both the act of knowing and the bringing into existence of the known.
Pairings for Knower and Known
Depending on the verb used, the relationship between knower and known can take on different nuances. For example:
- Knower knows the known: Neutral and foundational.
- Knower observes the known: Focused on perception or attention.
- Knower distinguishes the known: Highlights the act of creating separations.
- Knower engages with the known: Suggests active interaction.
- Knower generates the known: Implies that knowing brings the known into existence.
Relevance to Our Framework
- To Know: Works well as the foundational verb for describing the recursive act of “self knowing itself.”
- To Distinguish: Aligns with the refined framework of distinctions, emphasising the act of differentiation as generative.
- To Perceive: Could highlight the interpretive nature of the recursive process, where meaning emerges.
- To Generate: Suggests that the act of knowing not only understands but also creates the known, aligning with emergent complexity.
Distinction
Next we consider the term used to describe the result or outcome of the act of the knower knowing the known. Distinction is currently used for our framework but what alternatives might also capture different nuances of this outcome, depending on the focus of our framework?
- Distinction: A separation or differentiation created by the act of knowing. Aligns closely with our recursive framework, as each act of self-knowing introduces new distinctions, building the complexity of reality. Highlights the generative process of differentiation.
- Separation: Focuses on the act of dividing one thing from another. Suggests a clear boundary, though it might feel more static than “distinction.”
- Difference: Highlights the contrast between the knower and the known. Simpler and more accessible but lacks the technical specificity of “distinction.”
- Form: Implies that the act of knowing gives shape or structure to the known. Connects well to the emergence of dimensions or physical reality.
- Manifestation: Suggests that the act of knowing brings the known into being or visibility. More abstract and philosophical.
- Connection: Suggests the relational aspect of knowing, where the act links the knower and known. Aligns with interdependence but may be too vague for technical use.
- Information: A general term for what is produced or transferred through the act of knowing. Aligns well with entropy and information-theoretic perspectives.
- Emergence: Highlights the dynamic process by which the result arises. Aligns with the idea of complexity developing through recursion.
Comparison of Terms
| Term | Focus | Strengths | Limitations |
| Distinction | Differentiation and creation | Highly relevant to your framework | May feel technical in broader contexts |
| Separation | Division or boundary | Simple and intuitive | Feels static or rigid |
| Difference | Contrast | Accessible and broad | Lacks technical depth |
| Form | Shape or structure | Emphasizes emergence | Less specific |
| Manifestation | Bringing into being | Philosophical and abstract | Less concrete |
| Connection | Relationality | Emphasizes interplay | Vague for technical use |
| Information | Data or encoded knowledge | Aligns with information theory | May feel overly mechanistic |
| Emergence | Dynamic process | Highlights complexity | Abstract and broad |
Relevance to Our Framework
- Distinction: Remains the most precise term, particularly given its centrality to the recursive process in our framework.
- Emergence: Useful for describing the dynamic nature of the result.
- Information: Aligns well with entropy and physical models.
- Manifestation: Adds philosophical depth, suggesting that the act of knowing brings reality into existence.
Conclusion
In the Recursive Reality Project the terms:
- Knower and Known work well to represent the fundamental act of “self knowing itself.”
- To Know works well as the foundational verb for describing the recursive act of “self knowing itself.”
- Distinction is the best fit for the primary outcome because it captures both the act of differentiation and its generative nature.
However, we could supplement these term with others in specific contexts to highlight dynamic or philosophical aspects.