Generalised SP
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) June 3, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20394487 via OpenAlex
Summary
The Saifian Principle (SP) distinguishes spatial dimensions (directly perceived) from temporal dimensions (affecting beings without direct perception). It states that a being perceives only the spatial dimensions it possesses and is affected by the temporal dimensions it possesses. Combined with humans perceiving 3 spatial dimensions and being affected by 1 time dimension, the principle has implications for philosophy of perception, philosophy of physics, quantum mechanics (the measurement problem), and cognitive science. The paper engages with Kant, Berkeley, McTaggart, Bell, and Maudlin, and addresses objections from virtual reality, brain-computer interfaces, evolution, time perception, and the presentism vs. eternalism debate.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The Saifian Principle, a tautology distinguishing spatial from temporal dimensions, when combined with human perception of 3 spatial and 1 temporal dimension, yields implications for philosophy of perception, physics, and cognitive science. |
Abstract
SP: The Saifian Principle Author: Saif Naim Pathan Date: June 3, 2026 Version: 1.0 Description The Saifian Principle (SP) distinguishes between two types of dimensions: spatial dimensions, which are directly perceived, and temporal dimensions, which affect us without being directly perceived. SP states: A being perceives only the spatial dimensions it possesses, and is affected by the temporal dimensions it possesses. This tautological principle, when combined with the empirical fact that humans perceive 3 spatial dimensions and are affected by 1 time dimension, has profound implications for: - Philosophy of perception - Philosophy of physics - Foundations of quantum mechanics (measurement problem) - Cognitive science (VR, brain-computer interfaces) The paper engages with Kant, Berkeley, McTaggart, Bell, and Maudlin. It addresses objections from virtual reality, brain-computer interfaces, evolution, claims of time perception, and the presentism vs. eternalism debate. Keywords Saifian Principle, SP, perception, dimensions, spatial dimensions, temporal dimensions, measurement problem, Kant, Berkeley, McTaggart, philosophy of physics, foundations of quantum mechanics License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Files - SP_Saifian_Principle.pdf Related works - Saifian Core Geometry (Zenodo, 2026) - Saifian Master Equation (Zenodo, 2026)