Spinbitz: Volume 1: Interface-Philosophy, Mathematics and Nondual rational-empiricism

by Joel D. Morrison

SpinbitZ is a philosophy of vision-logic interfaces for the percept-based illumination of abstract concepts. In tracing a nondual thread of rationality to its pre-Socratic roots, we find the axis-mundi hidden within Zenos paradox, and within nondual rationality. With the help of a hundred illustrations, we trace this embryogenesis of rationality, as it reconnects to the alternative lineage of Deleuze, with a nondual fusion of Spinoza and Leibniz. We also find that mathematics mirrors this embryogenesis and holarchical structure. Interface Mathematics transitions from the "oppositional forces" of dualism, ultimately again to the "intensive" truths of the nondual. In making mathematics visible and understandable, the two fundamental axes of conceptual thought are shown. Spinozas "three infinities" are then seen as the triune interface between these axes, for illuminating and reconciling the many paradoxes of infinity as they wind their way into the truths of modern mathematics.

Paperback

Reviews

[Alex Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not clear if this book was published by the author. It does appear to be. It is also fantastic. I do not know any world where this work would be published by a publisher who was convinced the author had an audience for it.

To some degree, Morrison is a little repetitive. He meticulously develops his arguments and shows us many similar charts, each level a different "cut" to explain the visual-logical relationship that is mappable to the formalisms of math. Do not be impatient because Morrison is very deliberate, saying what he says with purpose.

From these formalisms, of a visual kind, Morrison acts as a kind of philosopher of Math in the way that Alain Badiou acted as a kind of philosopher of Math in the domain of set theory and propositional logic.

This book is super impressive. His argument is through the mediator of Deleuze to Spinoza -- to embrace the geometric propositional ethics of Spinoza, as an illustration mappable through (what Morrison calls) visual-logical interfaces whereby the spacial metaphors directly map to philosophical concepts like empiricism, rationality, immanence, transcendence and so on.

Unique to him, although I've considered it before -- but nowhere else that I have seen -- Morrison also shows the different groups generated mathematically through operations like transitivity, associativity, division, multiplication, subtraction and addition. He explores the philosophy to explicate the concepts and then shows us in math how they apply visually. Truly, the Cartesian coordinate system is one that shows us the placement of the subject as a point in one's field of vision -- we can like Descartes -- build our system from there.

Truly for anyone wanting a way to consider how symbolic understanding is mathematizable, this is the book for you. You can get the understanding spelled out completely, translated from one domain to another and then back again. Rare is it that you can find an author who can do this.

Where this goes into the philosophy of mathematics written by mathematicians and analytic philosophers -- is that Morrison approaches things differently. Those conversations often entail issues like computation, formalisms and applications through set theory, category theory and the like; in a manner very different form what Morrison has. Morrison here has a direct translation of traditional western philosophical concepts to spacial metaphors that are drawn out in everyday understandings of mathematical forms and computations.

To some degree Badiou does do this, but he only goes for the higher concepts in math, and how they could relate to a philosopher. For instance, he relates Hegel to nature in talking about infinity. Of course, you can relate any metaphor to any other metaphor -- additionally with enough twists in thinking you can do so in any arbitrary form. I would need to read Being and Event again to see if Badiou is truly nonsensical.

Morrison, on the other hand, is definitely not nonsensical. If Badiou melds mathematical concepts to Western Philosophy in a vague way (vague because I am not sure he get math), then it is because Badiou cannot read math; he reads math in terms of philosophy.

While Morrison shows us that he can read philosophy, Morrison definitely also reads philosophy in terms of the math. This math centered view of philosophy is what will teach us the most about math, instead of repeating tired philosophical ideas that a philosopher is already familiar with.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to be able to read equations in addition to the philosophy. Strong 5 stars.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

SpinbitZ is one of the most seminal works I’ve ever read. It lays a conceptual framework that, in my experience, can literally alter one’s mind, and re-format and re-orient one’s perception of the world in a way that is more congruent with reality (than what contemporary science and philosophy can provide). While it is well written (a monumental task on Joel’s part), it can at times be a bit overwhelming to get through, as there is so much new information. The section on Infinity, for example, was a bit challenging — but the author is tackling INFINITY! There is so much fresh language, fun, and gem-like concepts all the way through … Enjoy!