historically man thought 2d-then flat/round 3d.Why cant we see 4d?

Question

When the world was thought of being flat we could only comprehend 2d.When Columbus discovered America we understood 3d. Why then is it impossible to comprehend 4d and beyond

Answer 1

We live in a 4-dimensional reality, and we perceive the world in 4 dimensions: 3 dimensions of space, and one dimension of time.

Answer 2

Actually it is a fallacy that common belief was of a flat-earth. People knew the earth was round long before Columbus' voyage. There were always superstitious people that though in terms of a flat-earth, but the vast majority of "modernized" culture knew of a round-earth.

I don't have my sources with me (I'm at work), but if you would like a listing of sources that prove this statement, just message me.

And, to answer the greater, overall question; We do think in 4D, we plan ahead, and remember that past, that is the 4th dimension, so we do, technically comprehend the 4-D model.

Answer 3

The extra dimensions just mean more variables in an equation. You learned one at first, x the 2 when you added and then three when you added z. At time, t for 4 and if you like, w, u and v for 5 6 and 7. Each variable in the equation is another "dimension". It doesn't need to mean there are sneak passages through the universe.

Answer 4

We have always thought 4d... Up/Down=1 left/right=2 back/front=3 and time=4

We've thought somethings were flat (like the earth), but we've always thought in four dimensions... Even then, Heaven was up and Hell was down...

Now if you're talking about 5,6,7, or 18 dimensions as some physicists theorize, its something we have no reference for... You have to think about multiple dimensions as gear shifts on the vehicle of reality... If our brains only perceive four dimensions... then we have to think about other dimesions as a shift in gears to encompass a new set four dimensions for a different space and time.

"We are but multidimensional beings trapped within a space/time meat vehicle..."

Answer 5

Well, our senses readily reveal (unless you only have a monocular vision, but hey, you can compensate by touch!) 3 spatial dimensions, and the fourth, the temporal dimension (helpful to get to your appointments on time :) and that's because evolution priviledged selection for organs that had -and have- a usefulness to our survival on this planet. You don't necessarily need eyes when you live all your life in the depth of ocean, and when you survive for the here and now nature does not necessarily select you for your superior cognitive capabilities (though with sufficient time, many things are possible).

Physicians describe the physical world with supplementary dimensions, which are useful to understand phenomenons measurable through instrumentation, but that are unaccessible to our ordinary senses - dimensions which are conceptually useful in understanding the microscopic and macroscopic worlds. Imagining these supplementary dimensions isn't easy, but it gives birth to fantastic science-fiction and poetry !

Wikipedia's entry offers a good, accessible article on the subject (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimensions), even though it doesn't tell us what to do if we ever encounter a singularity. I, for myself, would run for the hills.

Answer 6

Most people equate the 4th dimension with time, but that was postulated so as to make time functional in mathematical equations.

To see or enter the 4th dimension, you would have to rotate all three dimensions 90 degrees apart from each other simultaneously, something we cannot (and probably will never be able to) do.

It's hard to grasp, and even harder to do! :)

Answer 7

The fourth dimension is time. We observe the passage of time every day, so in a sense we already see 4D.

Answer 8

most people can't afford the 4d sunglasses that i've invented... if you send me $213,026; i will send you a pair. 4d is wild.