Energy

Energy
A Physicists View
Vic Stenger
Substance Duality
Most people believe that the universe is made
of two kinds of stuff:
1. Matter Body
Particles
Discreteness, reductionism
2. "Energy" Mind, Spirit, Soul,Vital Force
Electromagnetic/ bioenergetic fields

Continuity, holism

Assumptions of Alternative
Medicine
Living things possess a special, cosmic energy field, which
I will call the bioenergetic field. Qi?
Pure energy is a biophysical substance separate from

matter, and indeed supersedes matter.
Electromagnetic fields are examples of "pure energy" and

are identified with the bioenergetic field.
Newtonian mechanistic, reductionist physics has been

shown to be wrong by modern physics.
Quantum physics shows that the universe is one

interconnected whole of which human consciousness is a
part, thus allowing the mind to control reality.

Bioenergetic Medicine
"The principles of energy medicine originate in
quantum physics. Bioenergetic medicine is the study
of human and animal bodies as dynamic
electromagnetic fields existing in an electromagnetic
environment."
"Based on Einstein's theories of quantum physics, these

energetic concepts are being integrated into medicine
for a comprehensive approach to disease diagnosis,
prevention, and treatment.
Joan Stafantos

The History of Energy
From Greek energeia meaning activity.
Not part of original Newtonian mechanics.
Introduced into physics by Helmholtz in 1847.
Conservation of Energy
The total energy of an isolated system does not

change with time.
This is the defining property of energy.

Types of Energy
Example: Falling Body
Kinetic Energy m
EK = mv2/2
v
Potential Energy
h
EP = mgh
Rest Energy
ER = mc2

Classical Physics
Picture prior to 20th Century:
Energy and matter were separate and distinct

substances.
Although appearing continuous to the naked eye,

matter was composed of discrete, localized atoms.
Light was a form of electromagnetic wave, the

vibration of a continuous cosmic field, the aether,
and regarded as a form of "pure energy."
Gravity was a continuous action-at-a-distance field.

Modern Physics
Current picture:
Energy and matter are the same stuff:
E = mc2
The discrete nature of matter is confirmed. Energy is also

discrete.
There is no evidence for an aether or any other continuous

medium in universe. Light is composed of particulate
matter: photons. Fields are composed of discrete particles
("quanta").
General relativity explains gravity in terms of the curvature

of space rather than as a force field.

Nuclei and
Atoms
Matter
Molecules
Protons
Quarks andElectrons
Neutrons

The Standard Model of
Matter
Three generations of quarks and leptons
u c t
d s b
e
e
plus antiparticles.
Familiar matter : u, d, e
proton = uud neutron = udd

The Standard Model of
Forces
Forces result from the exchange of particles:
Electromagnetism photon
Strong nuclear gluons (8)
Weak nuclear weak bosons (4)
(No quantum theory of gravity as yet)
While these force particles are described by quantum

fields in the theory, no continuous medium, like the
aether, is involved.

The Cosmos
Mass Budget
Radiation 0.005 %
Ordinary visible matter 0.5 % Natureofdarkmatterand

darkenergystillunknown.
Ordinary nonluminous matter 3.5 % Butnotimmaterialsince

carrymass.
Exotic dark matter 26 %

Life and Mind
All living organisms are composed of the same

quarks and electrons as compose a rock or a
river.
They are acted on by the same forces.

There is no evidence for special vital or psychic
fundamental substances or forces.

Properties of Matter
There is no evidence for any special fields or
radiation associated with living organisms.
No basis exists for assuming that life and mind

are anything other than emergent properties of
matter--not derivable from equations of
particle physics but consistent with them.
Brain imaging and other neuroscience provide

strong evidence for localized, material sources
of thoughts and emotions.

The Unconscious Quantum
Quantum mechanics is said to provide a basis for a mind-
matter connection.
This notion arises from the fact that the act of observation
interferes with what is being observed: Heisenberg
Uncertainty Principle.
The claim is that reality is determined by consciousness.
But mind and consciousness are not independent of matter.
The brain is wired to body, but not to other bodies.
Nothing in quantum phenomena requires the introduction
of non-material or holistic elements.

Has modern physics shown
that classical, reductionist
physics is "wrong?"
No!
Most physics taught in classrooms is still
classical physics.
Modern physics is built on a base of classical

physics. Still materialistic and reductionist
including quantum mechanics.
Modern technology and medicine still rely

heavily on classical physics.

What Constitutes Evidence?
Any claim that implies the overthrow of well-established
scientific principles has an extraordinary burden of proof.
Since so much rubbish is out there, the only rational and

practical policy is to ignore such claims until
extraordinary evidence is presented.
Anecdotal evidence is ordinary. People can be tricked or

self-deluded. The placebo effect is powerful and difficult to
eliminate even in the best controlled experiments.
A single experiment, even peer-reviewed, is never enough.

Multiple independent replications are essential.

Ordinary Claims
That, if true, would violate no established
science:
Some herbs may have some medical benefits.
Acupuncture may relieve pain by stimulating brain
chemicals.
Relaxation or meditation may have some medical benefits.

Massage may aid in healing.
A patient's state of mind can affect his or her health.
Treating the "whole patient" may be better than just treating
his parts.

Extraordinary claims
That, if true, would violate well-established
science:
Homeopathic remedies can have any effect at all--other
than placebo.
Meditation tunes you into the cosmic field of mind.

Mind can overcome established physical laws.
You can improve a person's health by manipulating her
vital energies with acupuncture or therapeutic touch.

Published Reports
Numerous media reports refer to published papers
"scientifically verifying" the healing powers of prayer and
other forms of "spiritual" or "psychic" therapies.
Not one is statistically significant!
Many p = 1/20 effects in physics have failed to be

confirmed.
The publication criterion in physics is p = 1/10,000.

This threshold should be used for an extraordinary claim
(as defined) in all branches of science. Ordinary claims,
consistent with existing science, can be published with
weaker significance. But even p = 1/20 is far too low.

Scientific Study of Qi
Measurements made in Beijing in 1987 during
healing lectures of Dr. Yan Xin.
Yan Xin et al, Journal of Scientific Exploration 18 (2002):381-411.
Positive signals:
Radiation dosimeters
Changes in Raman spectrum in aqueous solutions
Alternations in half-life of 241Am
Thermoluminescence Dosimeters:
7LiF(Mg,Ti)sensitivetogammarays
6LiF(Mg,Ti)sensitivetoneutronsandgammarays

Results of Qi Experiment
Distance measurements during 11-hour lecture.
dataGamma-ray
dataNeutron
___ Energy
Conservation:
1/r2

Conclusions on Qi
Experiment
Radiation intensities very high. Would be harmful if
extended over long times.
Dosimeters are designed for longer term exposures and

have about 10 mR detection limit. Reported results near
lower limit. Could be measurement errors. No error
estimates given.
No results presented for distance experiment control with

Dr. Yan absent.
No reported replication in years between 1987 and 2002.

Qi does not show fall off with distance expected from
energy conservation. Defining property of energy.

Analogy with Psi
Scientific searches for psychic energy (psi) over 150 years
have failed.
1930s. Einstein told J.B. Rhine he would not believe in psi

unless he saw distance effect.
Rhine could find no distance effect.

Psi does not show fall off with distance expected from energy
conservation. Defining property of energy.
Neither psi nor qi appear to be forms of energy.

Both psi and qi appear to be nonexistent.

Summary
Energy therapies are based on the ancient notion that
living matter possesses some special vital force or energy
that is separate from matter.
Today this energy is mistakenly associated with

electromagnetic or quantum fields.
No evidence for any special vital forces, energies, or fields

has ever been found.
Modern physics has shown that energy and matter are the
same thing.
Modern physics has shown that no continuous fields exist.

Quantum fields are composed of particles.

Summary (continued)
Modern particle physics has a theory of matter and forces
that successfully describes all current observations.
Living matter is composed of the same particles acted on by

the same forces.
Quantum mechanics provides no basis for paranormal or

holistic claims.
Modern physics remains totally materialistic and reductionist.

Reports of extraordinary claims should not be published
unless the evidence is extraordinary.
Qi and psi do not have defining property of energy.

Victor J. Stenger
vstenger@mindspring.com
http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/

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Energy

Electromagnetic/ bioenergetic fields

Pure energy is a biophysical substance separate from

Electromagnetic fields are examples of "pure energy" and

Newtonian mechanistic, reductionist physics has been

Quantum physics shows that the universe is one

"Based on Einstein's theories of quantum physics, these

The total energy of an isolated system does not

This is the defining property of energy.

Energy and matter were separate and distinct

Although appearing continuous to the naked eye,

Light was a form of electromagnetic wave, the

Gravity was a continuous action-at-a-distance field.

Energy and matter are the same stuff:

The discrete nature of matter is confirmed. Energy is also

There is no evidence for an aether or any other continuous

General relativity explains gravity in terms of the curvature

Strong nuclear gluons (8)

Weak nuclear weak bosons (4)

(No quantum theory of gravity as yet)

While these force particles are described by quantum

Ordinary visible matter 0.5 % Natureofdarkmatterand

Ordinary nonluminous matter 3.5 % Butnotimmaterialsince

Exotic dark matter 26 %

All living organisms are composed of the same

They are acted on by the same forces.

No basis exists for assuming that life and mind

Brain imaging and other neuroscience provide

Modern physics is built on a base of classical

Modern technology and medicine still rely

Since so much rubbish is out there, the only rational and

Anecdotal evidence is ordinary. People can be tricked or

A single experiment, even peer-reviewed, is never enough.

Relaxation or meditation may have some medical benefits.

Meditation tunes you into the cosmic field of mind.

Not one is statistically significant!

Many p = 1/20 effects in physics have failed to be

The publication criterion in physics is p = 1/10,000.

Dosimeters are designed for longer term exposures and

No results presented for distance experiment control with

No reported replication in years between 1987 and 2002.

1930s. Einstein told J.B. Rhine he would not believe in psi

Rhine could find no distance effect.

Neither psi nor qi appear to be forms of energy.

Today this energy is mistakenly associated with

No evidence for any special vital forces, energies, or fields

Modern physics has shown that no continuous fields exist.

Living matter is composed of the same particles acted on by

Quantum mechanics provides no basis for paranormal or

Modern physics remains totally materialistic and reductionist.

Qi and psi do not have defining property of energy.

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