The Essentials of Universalism; The Algorithm of Creation

In the 1990s, we ran a number of Members' special interest groups that met every couple of months, and Nicholas was an active member of the Science and Esoteric Knowledge Group, which morphed into the Universalist Philosophy Group at his instigation. Even then, he was declaring a metaphysical revolution, which may now actually be in the process of occurring, at least in some quarters. These two books are summary expositions of his overall universalist philosophy, following up his previous articulation of 2009. The first of these two volumes consists of key passages conveying the thread of his universalism, covering all aspects of his thinking and interdisciplinary range. His outlook is underpinned by his quest for the One, 'an infinite reality perceived as Light,' which he himself has experienced on many occasions. His universalism is expressed across seven distinctive fields: religion, mysticism, literature and poetry, history, philosophy, culture, and politics. He explains that universalism 'sees the universe, whole humankind and all branches of knowledge, as wholes that form an interconnected unity.'

In the preface, Nicholas sets out the extraordinary scope of his work, defining each area in turn as well as its key components whereby the whole adds up to 'a revolutionary philosophy and worldview of the fundamental unity of the universe and humankind, and a movement to reconfigure all disciplines as interconnected wholes and bring in a World State.' I have previously reviewed various of his books on this last theme, and it is important to emphasise that he envisages a democratic rather than oligarchic and authoritarian form, underpinned by a world constitution, which he himself has drafted. There are 75 chapters of varying lengths, taking the reader through his journey and elaborating the essential points of each field. It is a work of extraordinary scope, and I am not aware of any other thinker writing today with a comparable integrated vision.

The second book is more technical and is boldly subtitled 'universalism's algorithm of the infinite and space-time, and a theory of everything.' Nicholas' vision is expansive rather than reductive, coming from the deeper intuitive self that experiences the whole, rather than the rational, social ego focusing on differences. A formative experience dates back to 1965 when he asked a Japanese poet to define the wisdom of the East. In response, he wrote down an algebraic formula: +A + -A = 0. This led Nicholas to realise that 'all pairs of opposites are reconciled in an underlying harmony.' Readers will also see the parallel with Yin and Yang as dynamic aspects of the whole within such a dialectical process. Translated into a cosmic algorithm of creation, this becomes 0 = +A + -A = 0. This represents the ultimate compression, where the laws of nature are already regarded as abbreviations. A further expression is that +A (the metaphysical view) + -A (the physical world) = 0 (Oneness). In his view, 'the One, a metaphysical non-duality, gave rise to both matter and consciousness (diversity from a common origin), and the infinite manifesting Reality that philosophers have sought for millennia and have seen as the ordering Light.'

The book is nothing if not ambitious, beginning with an explanation of algorithms and the universe, leading to the main chapters extending to 300 pages on the origin, development and end of the universe in 20 stages, then an elaboration of a theory of everything drawing on 100 key conditions (p. 290) for four variables. It is a tour of the force, including 326 constants and 75 ratios as well as 40 conditions that have benefited life. Any change in the value of just one of these constants and ratios would make human life impossible, thus constituting 'an overwhelmingly powerful argument for there being an order principle behind the creation of the universe rather than a random event.' (p. 85) +A represents expansionist, self-organising, purposive ordering, while -A is random, accidental natural selection.

Another key set of insights lists 50 -isms that have risen representing secular, philosophical and political traditions indicating fragmentation and loss of contact with the One, leading to disunity and decline in European civilisation. (p. 178) On the next page, readers will find the most comprehensive ever listing of 488 pairs of common opposites or antonyms in alphabetical order. Another section (pp. 212 ff.) considers various theories of consciousness, advancing his own as metaphysical nonduality. In summary, 'the algorithm of creation has provided a set of instructions and rules that will help calculate an answer to a problem: how did the universe rise and develop, and what will be its fate?' (p. 223) This is then elaborated in 20 stages, each using the same algorithm (pp. 224-29) involving a dialectic between the law of order and the law of randomness. This is an implicit critique of an understanding of the universe based exclusively on the law of randomness (p. 249) divorced from any larger metaphysic. Here, Nicholas lists 14 basic laws that are both part of the invisible fabric of the universe as well as applications of the metaphysical perspective. (p. 254) There are 14 universal experiences and principles for the reunification of rational and intuitional universalism (p. 277).

Nicholas sums up how universalism has reconciled five sets of contradictions: science and metaphysics, science and philosophy, metaphysical and scientific traditions, and intuitional philosophies, and finally linguistic and phenomenological philosophies – all of which amounts to a Metaphysical Revolution. This represents a breathtaking achievement that can only be fully taken on board through close study, allied to more specialist knowledge than I myself possess. However, whatever your own background, these books will surely enhance and refine your own understanding of consciousness and reality – and it is vital that we as a culture recover such a metaphysical and dialectical perspective.