If "everything is energy" then what does this mean?

[LegionOnomaMoi]

There's nothing to understand. The statement is pure BS.

All statements are BS to those who think them so. I wish to understand this statement by those who do not think it to be BS. I think there is value in understanding statements even if one doesn't necessarily agree with them. I think there is value in understanding worldviews which differ from those we hold.

 

[Mycroft]

All statements are BS to those who think them so. I wish to understand this statement by those who do not think it to be BS. I think there is value in understanding statements even if one doesn't necessarily agree with them. I think there is value in understanding worldviews which differ from those we hold.

There isn't a single scientist worth his salt who has ever said 'everything is energy.' Not even in quantum physics.

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

There isn't a single scientist worth his salt who has ever said 'everything is energy.' Not even in quantum physics.

Ignoring the "no true Scotsman" fallacy of the above, I know this. If this were a matter of physics, I wouldn't be asking it here (I would be wondering why years of studying and working in physics hadn't provided me with the answer). I am not interested here in what we (standard physicists, or even more generally scientists who study that which is physical) would answer here. I know my answers. I am seeking others' answers.

 

[Jumi]

What I think would be helpful if we offered a definition of energy as it's used in physics and started comparisons from there.

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

What I think would be helpful if we offered a definition of energy as it's used in physics and started comparisons from there.

That's actually a great idea. I guess the experimentalist in me is a bit reluctant to bias responses (plus, there isn't any consistent definition within physics, although things improve if one considers only modern physics)

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

I've often heard people say that in some sense or another "everything" (whatever that is) is "energy". This confuses me, to put it bluntly. I often work with "energy" as it is "defined" (exists? described?) in modern physics, and this has not helped me understand the assertion that everything is energy. So if any members believe this and would be willing to describe what this belief means (or if any members are more knowledgeable about what this means than I) I would be grateful for an explanation as to what "everything is energy" means (e.g., what is the nature of this "energy"? why ought we to believe that everything is indeed a form of or made out of this "energy"? etc.). Thanks!

Block of wood , burn it produce energy as heat , block of wood had no energy is no heat . potential energy
Energy the amount of effort to move something and kind of applies to all things except the source itself .

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

Block of wood , burn it produce energy as heat , block of wood had no energy is no heat . potential energy
Energy the amount of effort to move something and kind of applies to all things except the source itself .

Thank you! Are you familiar with the concept of "work" in classical physics? If so, can you describe how it relates to this concept of energy? Thanks

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

Thank you! Are you familiar with the concept of "work" in classical physics? If so, can you describe how it relates to this concept of energy? Thanks

Sorry no I don't didn't like my physics teacher he contradicted my religious teacher , physics is also dangerous in wrong hands .
I will look see if I can make any sense

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

Sorry no I don't didn't like my physics teacher he contradicted my religious teacher , physics is also dangerous in wrong hands .
I will look see if I can make any sense

No worries if you can't. I understand physics (more or less) but am trying to understand your perspective. If you are not already familiar with what I was talking about, then it doesn't matter at all. I was just trying to cheat a bit by possibly finding some common understanding

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I used to know this new-age priestess type who kept going on about "earth energy", but she couldn't explain what it was.

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

No worries if you can't. I understand physics (more or less) but am trying to understand your perspective. If you are not already familiar with what I was talking about, then it doesn't matter at all. I was just trying to cheat a bit by possibly finding some common understanding

No I just took a wild guess with first post ) not familiar with definition would need to research it .

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

I used to know this new-age priestess type who kept going on about "earth energy", but she couldn't explain what it was.

Molten larva ?

 

[atanu]

I've often heard people say that in some sense or another "everything" (whatever that is) is "energy". This confuses me, to put it bluntly. I often work with "energy" as it is "defined" (exists? described?) in modern physics, and this has not helped me understand the assertion that everything is energy. So if any members believe this and would be willing to describe what this belief means (or if any members are more knowledgeable about what this means than I) I would be grateful for an explanation as to what "everything is energy" means (e.g., what is the nature of this "energy"? why ought we to believe that everything is indeed a form of or made out of this "energy"? etc.). Thanks!

There are folks who similarly equate Brahman with energy and wisdom of samadhi with thoughts.

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

No worries if you can't. I understand physics (more or less) but am trying to understand your perspective. If you are not already familiar with what I was talking about, then it doesn't matter at all. I was just trying to cheat a bit by possibly finding some common understanding

If I kick a football , work is distance travelled by ball ?
Just another wild guess

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

There are folks who similarly equate Brahman with energy and wisdom of samadhi with thoughts.

I have to admit here that I may be familiar with Vedic/Buddhist literature, but I can't claim to understand it. Could you elaborate what you mean by these terms and how they relate?

 

[atanu]

I've often heard people say that in some sense or another "everything" (whatever that is) is "energy". This confuses me, to put it bluntly. I often work with "energy" as it is "defined" (exists? described?) in modern physics, and this has not helped me understand the assertion that everything is energy. So if any members believe this and would be willing to describe what this belief means (or if any members are more knowledgeable about what this means than I) I would be grateful for an explanation as to what "everything is energy" means (e.g., what is the nature of this "energy"? why ought we to believe that everything is indeed a form of or made out of this "energy"? etc.). Thanks!

May be we can say that the manifested universe is 'karma' -- the works.

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

May be we can say that the manifested universe is 'karma' -- the works.

As much as I respect you and your worldview, I don't necessarily understand it. Thus, alas, whilst you may perhaps say that the universe is X, that doesn't mean I'm smart enough to get it.

 

[atanu]

I have to admit here that I may be familiar with Vedic/Buddhist literature, but I can't claim to understand it. Could you elaborate what you mean by these terms and how they relate?

That was sarcasm, directed at a school of thought, particularly popular in RF, that Brahman was Energy. Now, since for Hindus, Brahman is non dual and All, therefore by implication 'Energy is All'.

For last two years I have tried to say "Brahman is Existence-Consciousness-Bliss' that has to be realised in Samadhi and not through science.

Brahman is not energy, which is an appearance- an artefact.

 

[atanu]

As much as I respect you and your worldview, I don't necessarily understand it. Thus, alas, whilst you may perhaps say that the universe is X, that doesn't mean I'm smart enough to get it.

I am sorry. I will come back after some time.

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

That was sarcasm, directed at a school of thought, particularly popular in RF, that Brahman was Energy. Now, since for Hindus, Brahman is non dual and All, therefore by implication 'Energy is All'.

For last two years I have tried to say "Brahman is Existence-Consciousness-Bliss' that has to be realised in Samadhi and not through science.

Brahman is not energy, which is an appearance- an artefact.

That actually makes (an albeit limited amount of) sense to me!
Thank you!