von Neumann ordinals as a model of self-consciousness
Let 0 be the empty set. Let (0) be the set containing the empty set. Then we can count :
0
(0)
(0, (0))
(0, (0), (0, (0)) )
(0, (0), (0, (0)), (0, (0), (0, (0)) ) )
and so on.
The 0 is immediate consciousness of a rose. This is consciousness of the rose is the rose. On the other hand, (0) is consciousness of the rose as consciousness of the rose. "I'm looking at a rose."
Then (0, (0)) is the distinction within consciousness of being absorbed in the rose (forgetting one's self in the perception and becoming the rose) and the thought-object consciousness-of-a-rose, which includes therefore a model of consciousness or an empirical self. The numbers above can be drawn with closed loops for some eerie but beautiful "organic" looking math-art. I associate them with the "Hegelian" growth or personality. We remember our past selves. We can relate (with a certain distance) to those who echo the voice of one of our own "sublated" selves. We also have a model that develops in time, where time is represented as pure succession. Kojeve might say that man is the Concept (-system) is time. If we want to add a little mysticism to the picture, we might say that God is the infinite set of all finite ordinals, toward which man (impossibly) strives.
0
(0)
(0, (0))
(0, (0), (0, (0)) )
(0, (0), (0, (0)), (0, (0), (0, (0)) ) )
and so on.
The 0 is immediate consciousness of a rose. This is consciousness of the rose is the rose. On the other hand, (0) is consciousness of the rose as consciousness of the rose. "I'm looking at a rose."
Then (0, (0)) is the distinction within consciousness of being absorbed in the rose (forgetting one's self in the perception and becoming the rose) and the thought-object consciousness-of-a-rose, which includes therefore a model of consciousness or an empirical self. The numbers above can be drawn with closed loops for some eerie but beautiful "organic" looking math-art. I associate them with the "Hegelian" growth or personality. We remember our past selves. We can relate (with a certain distance) to those who echo the voice of one of our own "sublated" selves. We also have a model that develops in time, where time is represented as pure succession. Kojeve might say that man is the Concept (-system) is time. If we want to add a little mysticism to the picture, we might say that God is the infinite set of all finite ordinals, toward which man (impossibly) strives.
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