Your observations of the deep philosophical issues regarding perception, reality, and scientific understanding are particularly influenced by Newton’s classical mechanics. Here’s how this unfolds:

Newton’s Absolute Space and Time:

• Isaac Newton’s framework in his Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica introduced the concepts of absolute space and time. Absolute space was conceived as an infinite, unchanging, and uniform container for all events, while absolute time flowed uniformly without relation to anything external. This view posited that objects exist independently of one another and of the observer, leading to a very object-centered view of reality.

Implications on Perception of Self and Other:

• This Newtonian perspective underpins a philosophy where objects (including selves) are seen as inherently separate and distinct. It promotes a worldview where:
  • Subjectivity (the self) is primary; one’s experience and observations are the starting points for understanding reality.
  • Objects are perceived as having an independent existence, not necessarily defined by their relations or interactions with other entities.

Critiques and Alternative Views:

• Relational Ontology: In contrast, some philosophies, like those inspired by Leibniz or later by relativity theory, argue for a relational understanding of reality where things are defined by their relationships rather than as isolated entities. Here, the focus might shift from “what things are” to “how things relate.”
• Hegel’s Dialectics: Hegel, for instance, emphasized the importance of relations and contradictions in the development of concepts and reality itself, suggesting that identity (self) is inherently tied to alterity (the other).
• Modern Physics: Einstein’s theory of relativity further challenges Newton’s absolutes by showing that space and time are not separate and immutable but are interwoven into a single four-dimensional space-time that is shaped by mass and energy. This relational view of space-time suggests that objects cannot be understood without considering their interactions and relations with other objects and the observer.

Cultural and Psychological Impact:

• This scientific paradigm has influenced not only science but also cultural perceptions, where individualism might be seen as a natural outcome of a universe where entities are fundamentally discrete. However, this has been contested by psychological theories that stress the importance of social interaction and interdependence for human identity and well-being.

Your point about the focus on the self rather than on relations or the other is a critique that echoes through philosophy, psychology, and even the latest scientific theories, advocating for a more interconnected understanding of reality. This shift in perspective from absolute to relational can lead to a different approach in how we understand identity, ethics, and our place in the cosmos.