I'm currently working on a metaphysics paper dealing with the nature of waves. Specifically, I'm writing about the Wave Structure of Matter, which posits that all things (including particles) in the universe are ultimately composed of waves moving in a medium (space).
Before I do anything, I need to define what exactly a wave is. Is a wave simply a disturbance in a medium? Is it defined as the mathematical relation between a trough and a crest? Basically, what I need to understand is the nature of a wave. Thomistically, is it a real being (a substance which exists on its own) or a mental being (an abstraction)? I'm leaning towards an abstraction since a wave must exist in a medium. Any thoughts?
Before I do anything, I need to define what exactly a wave is. Is a wave simply a disturbance in a medium? Is it defined as the mathematical relation between a trough and a crest? Basically, what I need to understand is the nature of a wave. Thomistically, is it a real being (a substance which exists on its own) or a mental being (an abstraction)? I'm leaning towards an abstraction since a wave must exist in a medium. Any thoughts?