E=mc^2 serves as our current conception of matter at a certain scale. The folk understanding of matter revolves around the idea of solidity. As we know, what appears to be solid at the everyday level of reality is mostly empty space between atoms. This seems to be the case at even smaller scales. Even quarks dissolve into "structured nothingness." Why should be assume that the smallest scale of our current physical model is indeed the smallest scale?
So what exactly is my point? If we are going to talk about material things we must do so on the understanding that 'matter', for the purpose of this discussion, refers to all things modeled by classical physics. The reason I do not go all the way down to quantum physics is this. Physical theories of mind (Pennrose being the outlier) assume that all significant mental functions happen in the brain using classical physics operations,i.e. electro-chemical reactions. That's why Ryan wants you to show him your organ. =-) His imagination is limited to classical physics.
From a metaphysical point of view, we have no such limitations and can posit the existence of a Primal Matter, that serves as pure substance capable of supporting Ideal Forms.
So what exactly is my point? If we are going to talk about material things we must do so on the understanding that 'matter', for the purpose of this discussion, refers to all things modeled by classical physics. The reason I do not go all the way down to quantum physics is this. Physical theories of mind (Pennrose being the outlier) assume that all significant mental functions happen in the brain using classical physics operations,i.e. electro-chemical reactions. That's why Ryan wants you to show him your organ. =-) His imagination is limited to classical physics.
From a metaphysical point of view, we have no such limitations and can posit the existence of a Primal Matter, that serves as pure substance capable of supporting Ideal Forms.
