Have you ever heard about imaginary numbers? Following is a definition for imaginary numbers. Imaginary numbers were formulated to explain square root of negative numbers. I am quite sure you are not someone who is interested in mathematics. So, do not even try to understand these imaginations. We will start our discussion with REAL or even NATURAL numbers. Something we all love to do, count them.
definition: Imaginary number (from Wikipedia- image) Skip the following!
"An imaginary number is a real number multiplied by the imaginary uniti,[note 1] which is defined by its property i squared = −1.[1][2] The square of an imaginary number bi is −b squared. For example, 5i is an imaginary number, and its square is −25. The number zero is considered to be both real and imaginary."
We all know how to count. We counted them with fingers, sticks, pencils, later with symbols. Although they are called natural numbers, if you think about it carefully, Numbers does not mean anything themselves. If it is difficult to grasp, consider the following example.
If you said an apple, you could point out to an apple.
If you said a tree, you could point out a tree.
If you said one? you can point out to "number" one which is a symbol. but not the real "one" in a sense number are platonic (you can read about platonic ideas here)
So, to speak the truth All numbers seem to be imaginary even Natural ones!
Here is some magic
Now let's imagine a watch. You had this beautiful Swiss watch which was a gift from one of your most valuable friends, who inherited it. Imagine it stopped working and you had to get it repaired. You gave it to a professional and next day when you go there you see he dismantled the watch, and all the pieces are placed over a white cloth on his table.
Where is your watch now? Can you call the collection of pieces on the table as a watch? You can name each part if you try but the "watch is not there anymore."
Following day, you come back, and you have your watch as re-assembled before. Working and fine. And wait, it is the same heap of metal and glass and everything else, but when at specific configuration there "appears" a watch. "A watch" is not a real thing it is still a mental object.
Who is the magician? Can you see the magic of your mind?
You can apply this to anything you know. More you see more you will understand how much magic we are living in. You will see even Atoms and Subatomic particles are mental objects.
Would you like to know characteristics of these mental objects?
If so, read: Objects of mind- mental representation
You may also like to read: Definition of mindfulness
Thank you for reading. What can imaginary numbers teach about life? - mental representation.
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