Wednesday, March 21, 2007

E8

E8 may sound like a geopolitcal phenomena or a Battleship turn, but in the world of Mathematics, it has a different sense. What is E8? To be frank, unless you majored in Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or Physics, it is unlikely that any explanation I could provide in a few minutes could explain it to you.

If it helps, the most concise, clear explantion of E8 (that I know of) is "in the context of linear algebra, E8 is ... the group of symmetries of its own Lie algebra." I hope that gives you a sense of the futility of my presenting a more detailed explanation here.

E8 has now been "solved" - i.e. resolved into a theoretically comprehensible matrix (its a very, very, large matrix). In any event, E8 arguably has applications in certain areas of physics, particularly special relativity and string theory. We should expect either to hear that the solution was flawed, or - more probably - hear that the solution "proves the Big Bang" or "demonstrates the validity of string theory."

Of course, it does neither. It is mathematical tool for describing the beautifully designed world in which we live. Like any other tool it can be put to good and evil uses.

While E8 may be, no is, quite difficult to comprehend, its complexity, yet orderliness, confirm the expectations of every presuppositional Creationist: the world has order that reflects the simplicity of its author, our Creator, God.

Mathemeticians and Physicists: you are out of excuses when it comes to Lie algebra, for E8 shows the Power and Godhead of the Creator:

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Praise be to Him who created all things of nothing, by the Word of His power, in the space of six days, and all very good,

-Turretinfan

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Order. Do you know when Whittaker Chambers (American communist spy, who broke) dated his first glimpse of the truth, which later engendered his complete break with Communism? He was looking at his little daughter eating her porridge. He noted the beautiful convolutions of her little ear. Chance (evolution; communism's answer) was no answer. He tried to put the orderliness and the Designer out of his thoughts, but couldn't. Thus does the created world speak of the eternal power and Godhead and lead one to the Truth.

Turretinfan said...

While the Power and Godhead of God are visible in Creation (and Providence), it takes the Holy Spirit's regenerating power to open a man's eyes to the Truth.

-Turretinfan