Abstract
The following essay puts forward an academic conception of the here-and-now or “present moment.” It is then identified as coincident to both our subjective moments and Nature. We then use this conjecture to construct a scientific and objective world-view, based on our human biology, to answer the question “what is reality?” First, time and the laws of physics are discussed, using the question “what is the nature of time?” The initial conditions of our universe—the cosmic microwave background radiation—are pinpointed as the origin of our perceived “arrow of time.” Then, the nature of time is deemed subjective. Second, the objectivity of scientific physical theories is reviewed; here physical limitations and subjective assumptions are shown to impede this modality. Third, the importance of experimental empirical information for an objective world-view is stressed with examples. Next, the notion of an external objective reality is addressed and refuted on objective grounds. Lastly, a world-view centered on the here-and-now is created using a novel criterion. In the final discussion, the author reflects on the significance of human “positive psychology”—as it pertains to forwarding the human condition using a world-view rooted in the here-and-now.
Clinton Kyle Miller