There’s an interesting new article at Medium.com by Dr Stegemann, who seems to be taking a fresh look at an old mystery. Taking it back to origins and how all this, came together to begin with.
I like it because I see the potential of taking another bite out of meta-physical skyhooks, perhaps leaving behind a brave recognition that our body/brain produces our mind and sense of consciousness, along with our conviction of having a soul. It’s all about our evolved biology babe.
The ultimate goal, poetically, so that masses of people might finally have a path towards a more sober outlook on who and what we are. (More realistically, that a few who care, might profit from this information finally getting out there.)
Glorying in our Evolutionary reality, and the physiological knowledge - that we create our own gods, and should start taking personal responsibility for them!
(since we human’s are the origin and creators of our Gods - from within one self.)
Valence as a universal principle at Medium.com
Dr. Wolfgang Stegemann
This mysterious “more” in life, which guides our decisions, colors our thoughts and controls our behavior, can be summed up in an amazingly simple word: valence.
We may still know the term from school — from chemistry class. There, valence describes how many bonds an atom can form. Without this principle, there would be no molecules, no DNA, no proteins — and ultimately no life. But valence is much more than just a chemical detail. It is a universal principle that runs through all levels of reality: from electrons to emotions, from biological processes to our thoughts, beliefs, and even entire cultures.
1. Chemical attraction: the origin of the bond
Let’s imagine carbon — an inconspicuous, black element that we associate with pencil leads or charcoal. But its real magic lies in its valence. Carbon is “tetravalent” — it can form four electron bonds. This makes him a true master of linking. …
2. Biological valence: Life depends on balance
What begins at the atomic level continues in biology. Cells function because certain molecules can bind to certain receptors — the famous “lock-and-key principle”. …
3. Emotional valence: joy, pain and motivation
But we don’t just know Valenz from chemistry or biology. Our inner experience is also shaped by it. In psychology, valence refers to the “value” of an experience: joy has positive valence, pain has negative valence. …
4. Cognitive valence: ideas that stick
But Valenz goes even further. It affects not only our feelings, but also our thoughts.
Why do some ideas stay in our minds while others disappear without a trace? Why can ideologies shape entire societies, while sober facts often leave little impression?
The answer: cognitive valence.6. Valence as a universal principle
Let’s look back:
- In chemistry, valence explains why atoms form molecules.
- In biology, valence explains how cells work.
- In psychology, valence explains why we feel, act and learn.
- In cognition, valence explains why ideas carry weight.
Same logic everywhere:
- Bond — what fits together, connects.
- Weighting — what is important prevails.
Valence is thus a universal ordering principle of nature. She creates structures, stabilizes systems and explains why some things in life are unforgettable, while others disappear without a trace.
7. Why this matters
If we understand valence as a universal principle, our view of the world changes:
- Life: It is not a coincidence, but the result of selective bonds.
- Emotions: They are not irrational, but an expression of valent control.
- Thinking: It is not neutral, but a system that follows weightings.
- Societies: They also function through collective valences — shared values, shared symbols, ideologies.
Valence is therefore more than a biological or psychological category. It is the invisible logic of attraction and repulsion that structures our universe.
Final Thoughts . . .
The above title is linked to his short Medium.com article.
Here is a link to the full paper:
Valence as a universal principle of binding and weighting
He’s a Doctor of Philosophy so I see this in that light. It’s about how we think about these things. Instead of constantly looking to the heavens and god and human exceptionalism, this is a bottom up, evolutionary, wholistic perspective.
The paper is interesting, I’ve only pecked at it, but will continue as circumstance allow. I think it’s a valuable paper that’s worth understanding.
