Possibility as the foundation?
Is it possible for possibility itself to not exist?
If yes, then you get a paradox, because a state with no possibility is actual and is therefore possible.
If no, then you get necessity, because possibilities must exist.
This resonates with me because (im)possibilities ‘exist‘ in a theoretical infinite vector space, but don’t need to ’instantiate’ in an experienceable system like our universe, so it makes sense as a grounds for existence.
Within the realm of infinite possibilities, Pure Being and Nothing are impossibilities, yet Becoming is a possibility, from there we get Hegel.
Hegel having pure being and nothing as foundational is weird to me because they need to be possible/impossible states with necessary motion for anything to happen, so Becoming comes from these intelligible things
Within the realm of quantum physics, we’re also discovering that possible states are concretely measurable, and actualize on observation
What if that is the case for the universe at large? Like there is a gazillion possible universes but this one is actualized because it’s coherent enough for us to experience
I landed here due to some confusion with Hegel and his supporters on this subreddit pointed me to some interpretations of his, but I’m trying to get a lay of the land before diving too deeply into one philosopher. Although I’m not opposed to digging deeper into Hegel.
please CMV / provide any related information, would appreciate
Posted Dec 7, 2025, 4:58 AM UTC