Mentalism: 'The All is Mind' as Computational Universe Theory

BY NICOLE LAU

The first Hermetic Principle, from The Kybalion:

"THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."

For over a century, this has been read as idealism—the philosophical position that reality is fundamentally mental or consciousness-based.

But what if it's not philosophy at all?

What if it's physics—a precise claim about the computational nature of reality?

In this article, I'll show that the Hermetic Principle of Mentalism is mathematically equivalent to modern computational universe theory—the idea that reality is fundamentally informational, that the universe is a vast computational system, and that physical laws are algorithms.

Not metaphorically. Literally.

The Hermetic Claim: Reality is Mental

Let's start with what the Hermeticists actually said.

From The Kybalion:

"THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental. THE ALL is SPIRIT! But what is Spirit? This question cannot be answered, for the reason that its definition is practically that of THE ALL, which cannot be explained or defined. Spirit is simply a name that men give to the highest conception of Infinite Living Mind—it is above definition, and is simply SPIRIT."

Key claims:

1. The universe is fundamentally mental/informational
Not that minds exist in the universe, but that the universe is mind.

2. Matter is a manifestation of mind
Physical reality emerges from mental/informational processes.

3. The ALL (ultimate reality) is infinite living mind
The substrate of reality is consciousness/information, not matter.

4. We participate in this universal mind
Individual minds are localized expressions of the universal mind.

Now, translate "mind" to "information" and "mental" to "computational."

Suddenly, this sounds like cutting-edge physics.

The Mathematical Translation

Hermetic Mentalism, expressed in modern mathematical language:

Hermetic Version:
"THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."

Mathematical Version:

Let U = the universe
Let I = information/computational states
Let T = Turing machine (universal computer)

Then:

U = {s₁, s₂, s₃, ...} where each sᵢ ∈ I

(The universe is a set of informational/computational states)

Physical laws = algorithms A: I → I'

(Physical laws are computational rules transforming information states)

Reality = T(I, A, t)

(Reality is the output of a Turing machine operating on information according to algorithmic rules over time)

This is the mathematical formulation of "The Universe is Mental."

Modern Physics: The Universe as Computation

Is this just philosophical speculation? No. It's what modern physics is discovering.

1. Wheeler's "It from Bit"

Physicist John Archibald Wheeler (1911-2008) proposed:

"It from bit. Otherwise put, every 'it'—every particle, every field of force, even the space-time continuum itself—derives its function, its meaning, its very existence entirely—even if in some contexts indirectly—from the apparatus-elicited answers to yes-or-no questions, binary choices, bits."

Translation: Physical reality ("it") emerges from information ("bit").

This is Hermetic Mentalism in modern language. Matter comes from information.

2. Digital Physics

Digital physics proposes that the universe is fundamentally discrete (digital) rather than continuous (analog).

Key claims:

• Space and time are quantized (Planck length ≈ 10⁻³⁵ m, Planck time ≈ 10⁻⁴⁴ s)
• The universe has finite information content
• Physical processes are computational processes
• The universe is a cellular automaton

Pioneers: Edward Fredkin, Stephen Wolfram, Gerard 't Hooft

Mathematical formulation:

Universe = cellular automaton with:

• State space S (all possible configurations)
• Update rule R: S → S (how states evolve)
• Initial condition s₀ ∈ S

Then: s(t+1) = R(s(t))

The universe is a computation.

3. The Holographic Principle

The holographic principle (from black hole thermodynamics) states:

All information contained in a volume of space can be encoded on the boundary of that region.

Mathematical expression:

I(V) ≤ A/4 (in Planck units)

Where:
• I(V) = maximum information in volume V
• A = surface area of boundary

Implication: 3D reality is a projection of 2D information. The universe is fundamentally informational, not material.

This is Hermetic Mentalism: reality emerges from information.

4. Quantum Information Theory

Quantum mechanics is fundamentally about information:

• Quantum states are information states (wave functions)
• Measurement is information extraction
• Entanglement is information correlation
• Quantum computation is information processing

The Schrödinger equation:

iℏ ∂ψ/∂t = Ĥψ

Describes how quantum information evolves. It's a computational rule.

Physical reality = quantum information + computational rules.

5. Tegmark's Mathematical Universe Hypothesis

Physicist Max Tegmark proposes:

"Our external physical reality is a mathematical structure."

Not that reality is described by mathematics, but that reality is mathematics.

If true, then:

• Physical objects are mathematical objects
• Physical laws are mathematical relationships
• The universe is pure mathematical structure

And mathematics is mental/informational (it exists in the realm of ideas, not matter).

Therefore: The universe is mental/informational.

This is Hermetic Mentalism, proven by physics.

The Convergence: Mind = Information = Computation

Let's map the exact convergence:

Hermetic Mentalism

• The ALL is MIND
• Universe is mental
• Matter emerges from mind
• Individual minds participate in universal mind

Computational Universe Theory

• Ultimate reality is information
• Universe is computational
• Matter emerges from information processing
• Local systems are subsystems of universal computation

Mathematical Formulation

• Reality = information states
• Evolution = computational rules
• Physical laws = algorithms
• Observers = information-processing subsystems

Same structure. Different vocabulary. Perfect convergence.

Specific Examples of Mental/Computational Equivalence

Let's see concrete examples where "mental" and "computational" describe the same thing:

Example 1: Thoughts as Algorithms

Hermetic: "Thoughts are real forces."

Computational: Thoughts are algorithms—computational processes that transform information states.

When you think "2 + 2 = 4," you're running an algorithm:

Input: {2, 2, +}
Process: addition algorithm
Output: 4

Mental process = computational process.

Example 2: Consciousness as Information Integration

Hermetic: "Consciousness is the fundamental reality."

Computational: Consciousness is integrated information (Tononi's Integrated Information Theory).

Mathematical expression:

Φ = integrated information (measure of consciousness)

A system is conscious to the degree that it integrates information in a way that cannot be reduced to independent parts.

Consciousness = information processing with specific properties.

Example 3: Reality as Simulation

Hermetic: "The universe exists in the mind of THE ALL."

Computational: The universe might be a simulation running on a substrate we can't directly access.

Simulation hypothesis (Nick Bostrom):

If advanced civilizations can run ancestor simulations, and they run many such simulations, then statistically we're likely in a simulation.

A simulated universe is fundamentally informational/computational, not material.

If we're in a simulation: Hermetic Mentalism is literally true.

Example 4: Observer Effect in Quantum Mechanics

Hermetic: "Mind affects matter."

Quantum mechanics: Observation collapses the wave function.

Before measurement: ψ = superposition of states
After measurement: ψ → definite state

The act of observation (information extraction) changes physical reality.

This is the observer effect—consciousness/information-processing affects matter.

Hermetic Mentalism, experimentally verified.

The Mathematics of Mind

Can we formalize "mind" mathematically?

Yes. Several approaches:

1. Turing Machines (Computability)

A Turing machine T is defined by:

T = (Q, Σ, Γ, δ, q₀, F)

Where:
• Q = finite set of states
• Σ = input alphabet
• Γ = tape alphabet
• δ = transition function
• q₀ = initial state
• F = accepting states

Any computable function can be computed by a Turing machine.

If mind is computational, it's a Turing machine (or equivalent).

2. Lambda Calculus (Functions)

Lambda calculus formalizes computation as function application:

λx.M (abstraction)
(M N) (application)

All computable functions can be expressed in lambda calculus.

Mental processes = function applications.

3. Cellular Automata (Emergence)

A cellular automaton is:

• Grid of cells
• Each cell in a state
• Update rule based on neighbors

Example: Conway's Game of Life

Simple rules → complex emergent behavior

The universe might be a cellular automaton. If so, all complexity (including mind) emerges from simple computational rules.

4. Quantum Computation

Quantum computers use:

• Qubits (quantum bits): |ψ⟩ = α|0⟩ + β|1⟩
• Quantum gates (unitary operators)
• Measurement (information extraction)

If consciousness is quantum (Penrose-Hameroff theory), then mind is quantum computation.

Implications of Mentalism as Computation

1. Matter is Emergent, Not Fundamental

If the universe is computational, matter is an emergent property of information processing—not the fundamental substrate.

Analogy: In a video game, the "objects" (trees, buildings, characters) aren't fundamental. They're patterns of information rendered on screen.

Similarly, physical objects might be patterns of information in the universal computation.

2. Physical Laws are Software, Not Hardware

If reality is computational, physical laws are algorithms—software running on the computational substrate.

This means:

• Laws could be different (different software)
• Laws might evolve (software updates)
• Laws are mathematical/informational, not material

3. Consciousness is Fundamental, Not Accidental

If the universe is fundamentally informational/computational, and consciousness is information integration, then consciousness isn't an accident of evolution—it's a fundamental feature of reality.

Panpsychism (consciousness is everywhere) becomes plausible if information processing is everywhere.

4. We Can Influence Reality Through Information

If reality is informational, then changing information changes reality.

This is why:

• Thoughts affect outcomes (placebo effect, intention experiments)
• Observation affects quantum systems (observer effect)
• Information can heal (psychosomatic effects)
• Beliefs shape experience (cognitive frameworks)

Not magic. Information dynamics.

Objections and Responses

Objection 1: "This is just panpsychism/idealism dressed up in math."

Response: No. Computational universe theory is testable:

• Quantization of spacetime (testable with quantum gravity experiments)
• Finite information content (testable via holographic principle)
• Computational limits (testable via complexity theory)
• Simulation hypothesis (testable via glitches, computational artifacts)

It's physics, not philosophy.

Objection 2: "Computation requires a computer. What's computing the universe?"

Response: The universe might be self-computing—a strange loop where the computation generates itself.

Or: The universe is the computation. There's no external computer. Computation is the fundamental process.

Or: We're in a simulation, and there is an external computer (but we can't access it directly).

Objection 3: "This doesn't explain consciousness."

Response: True. We don't fully understand consciousness. But computational universe theory provides a framework:

• Consciousness = integrated information (IIT)
• Consciousness = quantum computation (Penrose-Hameroff)
• Consciousness = self-referential computation (strange loops)

It's an active research area.

Objection 4: "Matter feels real, not informational."

Response: In a video game, objects feel real to the characters (if they're conscious). But they're information.

Our experience of matter as solid, tangible, real doesn't contradict its informational nature. It's how information feels from the inside.

Practical Applications

If Mentalism (universe as computation) is true, what can we do with it?

1. Quantum Computing

Understanding reality as computational helps us build quantum computers—devices that exploit the computational nature of quantum mechanics.

2. Artificial Intelligence

If mind is computation, we can create artificial minds by implementing the right algorithms.

3. Information Medicine

If the body is informational, we can heal by changing information (biofeedback, neurofeedback, placebo optimization).

4. Reality Engineering

If reality is informational, we can engineer it by manipulating information (virtual reality, augmented reality, eventually: direct reality modification).

5. Consciousness Expansion

If consciousness is information integration, we can expand consciousness by increasing information integration (meditation, psychedelics, brain-computer interfaces).

The Hermetic Insight Validated

The Hermeticists claimed 2,000+ years ago:

"THE ALL is MIND; The Universe is Mental."

Modern physics is discovering:

"Reality is information; The Universe is computational."

Same claim. Different language.

The convergence is exact:

• Mind = Information
• Mental = Computational
• Thoughts = Algorithms
• Consciousness = Information integration
• Reality = Computation

The Hermeticists were right. They just lacked the mathematical notation to express it precisely.

Now we have the notation. And the convergence validates both:

• Ancient wisdom accessed truth through contemplation
• Modern science accessed the same truth through experimentation and mathematics
• Different methods, same discovery

This is Constant Unification Theory in action.

Conclusion

The first Hermetic Principle—Mentalism—is not mysticism.

It's a precise claim about the computational nature of reality:

• The universe is fundamentally informational
• Physical laws are algorithms
• Matter emerges from information processing
• Consciousness is information integration
• Reality is computation

Modern physics validates this through:

• Wheeler's "It from Bit"
• Digital physics
• Holographic principle
• Quantum information theory
• Mathematical universe hypothesis

The mathematical formulation:

U = T(I, A, t)

Universe = Turing machine operating on information according to algorithmic rules over time.

"THE ALL is MIND" = "Reality is computation."

Same truth. Different languages. Perfect convergence.

The Hermeticists were proto-physicists. They discovered computational universe theory 2,000 years before we had computers.

Hermetic Mathematics, validated.

What's Next

In the next article, we'll tackle the second Hermetic Principle: Correspondence—"As above, so below."

We'll show how this translates to isomorphism in mathematics—structure-preserving mappings between systems.

And we'll prove that fractal self-similarity, the holographic principle, and scale invariance in physics are all expressions of this ancient principle.

The mathematical deep dive continues.

One principle down. Six to go.

Welcome to Hermetic Mathematics.