The hierarchy of ontology and the foundation of mathematics could look like this:
Nothing
Intention
Experience A - Prime memory
Change
Experience A(B): Experience B nested within Experience A
or with the memory of A (this implies an experience of identity or oneness nested within the experience of difference)
Dimensions: Similarity / Difference spectrum emerges
Identity: the "=" sign or the "1"
Difference: 1 compared to 0
Pattern discovery: digitizing the analog - arbitrarily assigning a similarity threshold to consider Experience N identical to or not identical to Experience N(B)
the assignation of the similarity threshold is based on intention, purpose, and choice
Pattern overlay: applying the identical arbitrary similarity threshold to find more identities in nested Experience N(C), N(D) N(E), ... etc.
Metaphor: a thread of structure connecting similar differences and different similars
Symbol: a condensed form for a metaphor
The Platonic realm (or as I like to call it, the 5th dimension): the entire symbolic metaphorical structure of all of reality - a map of all pattern overlays
The Physical realm: an instantiation of the Platonic realm - a symbolic representation of experience - present experience cast into form
Mathematics: a symbolic representation of the Platonic realm.
Physics: Math applied to the physical realm.
Nothing
Intention
Experience A - Prime memory
Change
Experience A(B): Experience B nested within Experience A
or with the memory of A (this implies an experience of identity or oneness nested within the experience of difference)
Dimensions: Similarity / Difference spectrum emerges
Identity: the "=" sign or the "1"
Difference: 1 compared to 0
Pattern discovery: digitizing the analog - arbitrarily assigning a similarity threshold to consider Experience N identical to or not identical to Experience N(B)
the assignation of the similarity threshold is based on intention, purpose, and choice
Pattern overlay: applying the identical arbitrary similarity threshold to find more identities in nested Experience N(C), N(D) N(E), ... etc.
Metaphor: a thread of structure connecting similar differences and different similars
Symbol: a condensed form for a metaphor
The Platonic realm (or as I like to call it, the 5th dimension): the entire symbolic metaphorical structure of all of reality - a map of all pattern overlays
The Physical realm: an instantiation of the Platonic realm - a symbolic representation of experience - present experience cast into form
Mathematics: a symbolic representation of the Platonic realm.
Physics: Math applied to the physical realm.