17 Rigorous Theory of Aesthetics

Near the beginning of this paper, we proposed that aesthetics is the maximization of transfer. It will be useful for us, at this moment, to consider this in the area of physics. The term aesthetics is used in physics with respect to symmetries of the dynamic equation (law) of any particular branch of physics. This in fact means that the symmetry group of the equation is transferring flow lines of the dynamic equation onto each other. So the attempt to identify symmetries of the equation is an example of our principle of the maximization of transfer.

In fact, the term aesthetics is used also with respect to one other phenomenon in physics: origin states. For example, current models explaining the physical constitution of the universe argue for a succession of symmetry-breakings from the underlying starting state (first to hypercharge, isospin, and color, and then to the electromagnetic guage group). There is considerable puzzlement in physics as to why backward symmetrization from the present data set should be the case. However, according to our theory, backward symmetrization is logically necessary. Our Asymmetry Principle states that a generative sequence is recoverable only if present asymmetries go back to past symmetries in the generative sequence. The above considerations therefore show that there are two uses for the term aesthetics in physics: (1) the characterization of transfer, and (2) the characterization of recovered states. In fact, one can see this in all aspects of quantum mechanics.

The question therefore is this: To what extent are these two situations of aesthetic judgement separate from each other? Our theory says that they are not separate. In section 15, it was seen that each level of the wreath hierarchy necessarily takes on simultaneously the roles of transfer and recoverability. To use physics as an example: The symmetry group acts both as the past state and as the operational structure that transfers flow lines of the Schrödinger equation onto each other. This is clearly evidenced for example in spectroscopy. Thus our complete definition of aesthetics can now be stated:

In this way, transfer becomes closely linked to memory storage. This allows us also to give a theory of art-works:

18 Inferred Starting States

We will now give a rule that turns out to be fundamental to the entire process of recovering generative history:

Inferred Starting States Principle. To maximize recoverability, the inferred starting state of a generative sequence must be structured by an iso-regular group.

Where we define an Iso-regular group to be a group satisfying the following three conditions: