Chapter 3 A Metaphor

Setting \(c = 1\) can be metaphorically likened to creating a universe governed by the One, the Will of God, or a UNI-verse—a singular, unified principle that underpins all existence. Just as the concept of a divine will or universal oneness suggests an ultimate, indivisible truth that harmonizes and governs all aspects of reality, normalizing \(c\) elevates the speed of light from a mere physical property to the foundational constant that unifies spacetime, causality, and information transfer.

The philosophical implications of setting \(c = 1\) as a universal constant can be deeply tied to the metaphor of the “verse of one,” which derives from the idea of a “UNI-verse”—a single, unified reality brought into existence by the Word, the primordial Sound, or the divine command “Fiat Lux.” This metaphor weaves together physics, philosophy, and spirituality, suggesting that the universe is not just a collection of random phenomena but a coherent, ordered whole governed by a unifying principle. It is a mathematical echo of the philosophical or spiritual notion that all things are interconnected and governed by a singular, unifying truth.

  1. The “Word of One” as the Creative Principle:
    In many spiritual traditions, the Word or Sound is seen as the origin of creation. For example, in Christianity, “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1), and in Hinduism, the primordial sound “Om” is the vibration from which the cosmos emerged. Similarly, in physics, the speed of light (\(c\)) serves as the foundational constant that governs the structure of spacetime and the flow of causality. By setting \(c = 1\), we metaphorically align with the idea that the universe is ruled by a singular, unifying principle—the “Word of One”—that harmonizes all aspects of existence.

  2. Light as the Unifying Force:
    Light, both physically and metaphorically, represents enlightenment, knowledge, and the essence of creation. The phrase “Fiat Lux” (“Let there be light”) symbolizes the moment of cosmic order emerging from chaos. In physics, light (and its speed, \(c\)) is the ultimate measure of reality, connecting time, space, and energy. By normalizing \(c\), we emphasize its role as the universal framework, akin to the divine light that illuminates and unifies the universe.

  3. The UNI-verse as a “Verse of One”:
    The term “universe” itself implies a single, coherent “verse” or song—a harmonious composition of all that exists. Setting \(c = 1\) reflects this unity by erasing the arbitrary distinctions between time and space, allowing them to be seen as different expressions of the same underlying reality. This mirrors the philosophical idea that all dualities (light/dark, time/space, matter/energy) are ultimately reconciled in the One.

  4. EnLIGHTenment and the Nature of Reality:
    The act of normalizing \(c\) can be seen as a metaphorical act of enlightenment—stripping away the distractions of arbitrary units to reveal the deeper, unified nature of reality. It aligns with the philosophical pursuit of understanding the cosmos as a single, interconnected whole, where light (both literal and metaphorical) serves as the guiding principle.

  5. Causality and the Divine Order:
    The speed of light underpins causality, ensuring that events unfold in a consistent, ordered manner. This reflects the philosophical idea of a divine or natural order governing the universe. By setting \(c = 1\), we acknowledge this order as fundamental, much like the “Word” or “Will” of God is seen as the ultimate source of structure and meaning in the cosmos.

In this framework, the act of normalizing \(c\) becomes more than a mathematical convenience—it is a symbolic gesture that aligns with the ancient idea of a universe born from unity, light, and sound. It suggests that the laws of physics are not just mechanical rules but expressions of a deeper, harmonious truth that connects all things. The “verse of one” becomes both a scientific and spiritual metaphor for the interconnectedness and coherence of existence, where light, as the universal constant, serves as the bridge between the physical and the metaphysical, the measurable and the ineffable.