Editing Realmatic Theory

{{magic
|image=Dalinar by horizonproblems.jpg
|related=[[Physical Realm]], [[Cognitive Realm]], [[Spiritual Realm]]
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
}}
{{update|sa4|yumi}}
{{quote
|All things exist in three Realms, Gaotona. '''Physical''', '''Cognitive''', '''Spiritual'''. The Physical is what we feel, what is before us. The Cognitive is how an object is viewed and how it views itself. The Spiritual Realm contains an object’s soul&mdash;its essence&mdash;as well as the ways it is connected to the things and people around it.
|[[Shai]] discussing the application of Realmatic Theory to [[Forgery]] with [[Gaotona]]{{tes ref|12}}
}}
'''Realmatic Theory''' refers to the study of the three Realms&mdash;Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual&mdash;that constitute the fundamental structure of the [[cosmere]]. Along with other fundamental properties like space and time, the Realms were created at the cosmere's equivalent of the [[wikipedia:Big Bang|Big Bang]], before the [[Shattering]] of [[Adonalsium]].{{wob ref|13066}}

== Components ==
{{quote
|All things exist in three realms, Dalinar. The '''Physical''': what you are now. The '''Cognitive''': what you see yourself as being. The '''Spiritual''': the perfect you, the person beyond pain, and error, and uncertainty.
|[[Nohadon]] to [[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa3|103}}
}}
=== Physical Realm ===
{{for|Physical Realm}}
Of the three Realms, the '''Physical Realm''' is the most readily understood as it behaves in much the same way that our universe does.{{wob ref|1244}} It is the natural world as we experience it with our senses, consisting of space and time and adhering to empirical scientific law.{{tes ref|12}} Unlike the Cognitive Realm, the Physical Realm is a three-dimensional plane.{{wob ref|1538}} The two Realms are not mapped perfectly to each other for this reason.{{wob ref|13234}} The cosmere is a single star cluster within the Physical Realm consisting of between fifty and one hundred stars,{{wob ref|9284}} though at least one person has tried to travel beyond that.{{wob ref|13336}} Travel between planets within the cluster can be achieved without using either of the other Realms through purely Physical FTL (faster-than-light) travel, and various civilizations have developed such Physical Realm interstellar travel, through unknown means.{{book ref|tress|60}}{{book ref|sotd}}{{wob ref|13061}} 

Investiture within the Physical Realm will manifest as a solid, liquid, or gas.{{wob ref|13327}} Solid Investiture in the Physical Realm is metallic.{{book ref|sa2.5|20}}{{wob ref|9291}} Pushing the entirety of a Shard’s Investiture into the Physical Realm would have disastrous effects.{{wob ref|13327}} Changes in the Spiritual Realm filter down to and cause changes in the Physical Realm.{{wob ref|13327}} Perception has a part in those Physical changes.{{wob ref|6501}} After a person dies, they need a continued tie to the Physical Realm to prevent passing to the [[Beyond]] after death.{{wob ref|6085}} Someone with such a tie could become a [[Cognitive Shadow]].{{wob ref|8836}}

It is made up of fundamental particles known as [[axi]], which make up matter.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|4}}{{book ref|sa4|part=ars}} Each individual axon has a polarity.{{book ref|mb7|epilogue|4}}

=== Cognitive Realm ===
{{image|ROW BG cover art.jpg|[[Shallan]] and [[Adolin]] in [[Shadesmar]]|side=right|width=400px}}
{{for|Cognitive Realm}}
The '''Cognitive Realm''' is the world of thought and perception.{{msh ref|2|1}} It is known locally on [[Roshar]] as '''[[Shadesmar]]''', though at least some academics of [[Silverlight]] have taken to using the term to refer to the entire Realm.{{wob ref|3010}} A planet's reflection in the Cognitive Realm is referred to as a subastral. The nature and appearance of objects in this Realm are shaped by the views of people and even the objects themselves. The environment itself changes from one world to the next, often exhibiting features characteristic of that world.{{wob ref|11688}} [[Investiture]], including that within souls, glows visibly within the Cognitive Realm.

While time appears to flow normally, space is also warped by perception.{{wob ref|8677}} Some aspect of the nature of the Realm allows one to walk to space, and the distance between worlds is significantly contracted, so that traveling from one world to the next by foot is possible. Indeed, [[worldhoppers]] generally make use of this Realm to move between worlds. Traveling between the Physical and the Cognitive Realms may be accomplished at [[Perpendicularity|perpendicularities]], among other means.

=== Spiritual Realm ===
{{for|Spiritual Realm}}
The '''Spiritual Realm''' exists beyond space and time.{{wob ref|6129}} It is made up entirely of [[Investiture]] and [[Connection]]s.{{wob ref|8812}}{{wob ref|9280}} This Realm contains a person's [[Spiritweb]], which is a person’s Spiritual aspect. The Spiritweb is closely related to a soul, but they are not the same. The soul is a philosophical concept while a Spiritweb can be measured and quantified.{{wob ref|13361}} It also contains information on a thing’s [[Identity]], Connection, and [[Fortune]]. Looking into the Spiritual Realm is required for cosmere future sight.{{wob ref|8147}} Most of the Investiture that makes up a Shard’s power exists within the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|6304}}

== Interactions ==
=== Perception ===
Perception is a vital part of how the three versions of a person or an object interact with each other. The Spiritual Realm filters through the Cognitive Realm to get to the Physical Realm.{{wob ref|1823}} While the Spiritual Realm contains the ideal version of something, the Cognitive filter makes sure the Physical version matches their perception of what should be.{{wob ref|9441}} One of the ways this manifests is in healing. For example, until he swears his Fourth Ideal, [[Kaladin]] feels he deserves his slave brands, so they don’t heal. [[Lopen]], on the other hand, never viewed himself as disabled, so his arm grew back.{{wob ref|9441}} The application of this can extend to changing the body of a transgender person to match their identity or rejoining [[wikipedia:Conjoined twins|Conjoined twins]] that were separated.{{wob ref|10913}}{{wob ref|1823}} 

Perception is also important for how the Invested Arts interact with the three Realms. What a person thinks they can do often limits what they can actually do. For example, [[Shallan]] required ten heartbeats to summon [[Pattern]] as a [[Shardblade]], despite him being a living blade.{{wob ref|6988}} Perception makes using a [[soulstamp]] on an object easier or more difficult. The more an object is viewed as a whole, the easier it is to soulstamp.{{wob ref|9529}} Perception of an object can and does change over time. As an object changes owner or various ingredients are combined into a whole, people’s perception of the objects change.{{wob ref|9423}}{{wob ref|8784}} The transition does not happen instantaneously. There will be a period of time when the line is fuzzy and multiple perceptions of an object can be true.{{wob ref|9423}}

=== Investiture ===
{{quote 
|Giving water to the tiny plant causes a chain reaction of sudden growth, energy, and Realmic transition. Certain people can control this reaction, using the water from their own bodies to forge a brief cognitive bond. They can draw Investiture (in very small amounts) directly from the Spiritual Realm, and use that to control the sand.
|[[Khriss]]'s assessment of [[Dayside]]'s  magic system, [[sand mastery]].{{au ref|Taldain}}
}}
In addition to having ordinary mass and energy, the cosmere also has a magical power known as [[Investiture]]. Investiture is closely tied to the Spiritual Realm,{{wob ref|5610}}{{wob ref|3413}} which holds a vast reserve of Investiture,{{wob ref|7079}} but ultimately transcends the divisions between the three Realms.{{wob ref|5610}} Over time, Investiture will cycle between the Realms,{{wob ref|7079}}{{wob ref|11041}} but ultimately returns to the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|397}}{{book ref|mb6|28}} Like matter and energy, high concentrations of Investiture curve space, but it primarily affects the geometry of the Realms and brings them closer together rather than creating ordinary gravitational effects. At a certain point, this effect will cause a [[perpendicularity]] to form.{{wob ref|8920}}{{wob ref|3637}}

=== Perpendicularities ===
{{image|I am Unity.jpg|[[Dalinar]] opening up [[Honor's Perpendicularity]]|side=left|width=250px}}
{{quote
|In general, perpendicularities are created by the presence of a Shard on the planet. The concentration of so much Investiture on the Cognitive and Physical Realms creates points of ... friction, where a kind of tunneling exists. At these points, Physical matter, Cognitive thought, and Spiritual essence become one&mdash;and a being can slide between Realms.
|[[Khriss]] on [[perpendicularity|perpendicularities]]{{au ref|Drominad}}
}}
Under certain circumstances, the Realms will bend to the point where they are no longer separate and are instead connected by a [[perpendicularity]]. The most common cause of a perpendicularity is a high concentration of Investiture in either the Physical or Cognitive Realms&mdash;though this is harder to achieve in the Cognitive Realm&mdash;but other methods work as well.{{wob ref|8920}}{{au ref|Drominad}}{{wob ref|2687}} Because they are built out of Investiture, perpendicularities will collapse if [[Nightblood]] is used to attack it.{{wob ref|12915}}{{book ref|sa4|111}}

Perpendicularities can be used to see into the Spiritual Realm and to transition between Realms,{{wob ref|10945}}{{wob ref|2687}} though someone has to know what the perpendicularity does in order to use it.{{wob ref|9665}}{{wob ref|2687}} This requirement gets weird for non-sapient things, but a creature like an [[Aviar]] could reasonably transition between Realms with a perpendicularity.{{wob ref|8906}} Perpendicularities are the most common method [[worldhopper]]s use to transition between the Realms, but they are not the only method.{{wob ref|2687}}

As a large amount of Investiture is generally required to create a perpendicularity, they most often appear when a [[Shard]] takes up residence on a world.{{au ref|drominad}} The process of creating a perpendicularity begins to occur naturally once a Shard arrives on a world,{{wob ref|3504}}{{wob ref|1551}} but Shards can control where and how the perpendicularity manifests.{{wob ref|11322}} They can also choose to create more than one,{{wob ref|11987}} to create one on a world they do not inhabit,{{wob ref|4740}}{{wob ref|9385}} and to share in the creation of one with another Shard.{{wob ref|12760}} A perpendicularity generated by a Shard will usually remain in place if the Shard's Vessel dies, but not always.{{wob ref|1720}}

While most perpendicularities are created by Shards, they can also be created by other methods.{{wob ref|8242}} Some Invested Arts, like the [[Surge]] of [[Surge#Transportation|Transportation]], are particularly built to accomplish this.{{wob ref|1525}} Other methods of creating a perpendicularity include storing a sufficient amount of Investiture in a [[nicrosil#Feruchemical Use|nicrosilmind]],{{wob ref|8140}} an unknown method of "morbid origin" used on [[Threnody]] that creates predictably unstable and hard to predict perpendicularities,{{au ref|Threnody}} and an unspecified ability of [[Order of Bondsmiths|Bondsmiths]] bonded to the [[Stormfather]] after [[Honor]]'s death.{{book ref|sa3|119}}{{book ref|sa3|122}}

=== Shards ===
{{sidequote
|Men&mdash;all things, truly&mdash;are like a ray of light. The floor is the Physical Realm, where that light pools. The sun is the Spiritual Realm, where it begins. This Realm, the Cognitive Realm, is the space between where that beam stretches.
|[[Leras]] to [[Kelsier]]{{msh ref|2|1}}
|side=right|size=350px
}}
While the Shards of Adonalsium exist primarily in the Spiritual Realm,{{wob ref|6304}} their immense power has notable effects on all three of the Realms. Perhaps most significantly, Realmatic interactions between a Shard and a planet are what define the structure of any Invested Arts associated with that Shard on that planet.{{wob ref|6072}} Shards can consciously make some changes to this structure,{{wob ref|5971}}{{wob ref|7307}} but the extent to which they can interfere is limited.{{wob ref|8160}} If a Shard used their power to create the planet in the first place (as [[Preservation]] and [[Ruin]] did with [[Scadrial]]), they will be able to exercise more control.{{wob ref|5293}}

As Shards are composed of a significant amount of Investiture, their presence also bends the local Realmatic geometry. This effect is mostly limited to the Cognitive Realm, where a Shard's presence is partially responsible for the planet's subastral taking up a relatively large space compared to the space between planets.{{wob ref|3637}} If a Shard remains in a system for some time, this Realmatic bending will generally result in the formation of a perpendicularity.{{wob ref|3637}}{{wob ref|1551}}{{au ref|Drominad}} If a Shard wishes, they may also use their Investiture to curve the Realms in a way that creates a body in the Physical Realm.{{wob ref|9485}}

== Culture ==
=== Nalthis ===
On [[Nalthis]], the [[Five Scholars]] stumbled upon Realmatic Theory and the broader [[cosmere]] during their studies{{wob ref|1737}} and are known among the scholars of [[Silverlight]] for their discoveries.{{wob ref|1548}} Subsequent Nalthian scholars appear to have retained some of the Five Scholars' knowledge and, aside from worldhoppers, are probably the most aware of the mechanics of the cosmere.{{wob ref|1711}} Indeed, the Nalthian perpendicularity has customs,{{wob ref|9501}} suggesting Nalthis has a sizable population with at least some Realmatic awareness.

=== Roshar ===
On [[Roshar]], the philosopher [[Gavarah]] first developed Realmatic Theory some time well before 1173.{{book ref|sa1|29}} Since then, her theory appears to have become widely accepted among scholars, who are aware that the Spiritual Realm is a place of pure truth but the Cognitive Realm is more malleable.{{book ref|sa2|24}} However, it appears that few, if any, scholars have actually studied it in detail, as [[Jasnah Kholin]] was unable to find much information on the Cognitive Realm with six years of research.{{book ref|sa2|1}} This difficulty may be compounded by the fact that some religions have integrated aspects of Realmatic Theory into their theology,{{book ref|sa1|i|8}}{{wob ref|1729}} though the return of the [[Knights Radiant]] and the reactivation of the [[Oathgate]]s may soon lead to new knowledge.

=== Scadrial ===
{{sidequote
|I have come to see that each power has three aspects: a '''physical''' one, which can be seen in the creations made by [[Ruin]] and [[Preservation]]; a '''spiritual''' one in the unseen energy that permeates all of the world; and a '''cognitive''' one in the minds which controlled that energy.
|[[Sazed]]'s earliest experiences after his ascension.{{epigraph ref|mb3|57}}
|side=left|size=350px
}}
On [[Scadrial]], the ancient [[Terris]] were aware of Realmatic Theory and included it in their religion.{{wob ref|1253}} This knowledge may have come from experimentation with [[Feruchemy]], which organizes its metals into quadrants based on which Realms they affect.{{wob ref|10046}} Their research into Realmatic Theory appears to have been an ongoing affair; when he met [[Alendi]], the [[Worldbringer]] [[Kwaan]] was studying the Cognitive aspects of trees.{{wob ref|3968}} Much of this knowledge appears to have been lost when [[Rashek]] destroyed the Terris religion,{{book ref|mb2|12}} though at least some of it was retained by the First Generation of the [[kandra]].{{book ref|mb3|71}}

[[Sazed]] included some basic information on Realmatic Theory in the [[Words of Founding]].{{epigraph ref|mb3|57}} Since the [[Catacendre]], the Terris have been experimenting with the Feruchemical metals that store Spiritual properties, but refuse to speak of those powers with non-Terris.{{book ref|mb6|part=ars}} The kandra and the [[Set]] have also been conducting research and have likewise been keeping it quiet.{{book ref|mb6|3}}{{book ref|mb6|17}} As a result of this secrecy, the people of the [[Elendel Basin]] at-large seem to have little more knowledge of Realmatic Theory than they received in the Words of Founding. However, this situation may soon change as the people of the Basin begin to interact with the [[Southern Scadrian]]s.{{book ref|mb6|31}}

The people of Southern Scadrial have a much more advanced understanding of Realmatic Theory. Ten years after the Catacendre, [[Kelsier]] arrived in their lands and gave them the tools and knowledge needed to make [[unsealed metalminds|unsealed]] [[Brass#Feruchemical Use|brassminds]]. After he left, the Southern Scadrians were able to use what they knew to figure out how to make unsealed metalminds for all abilities in the [[Metallic Arts]]. They have been unable to create unsealed metalminds that grant more than three abilities, suggesting that the Realmatic principles involved become more complex as more abilities are added to the metalmind.{{book ref|mb6|21}}

=== Sel ===
{{image|TES - Shai and Gaotona by Johanna Rupprecht.jpg|[[Shai]] explaining Realmatic Theory to [[Gaotona]]|side=right|width=325px}}
The people of [[Sel]] have developed the most advanced knowledge of Realmatic Theory of any planet in the cosmere.{{wob ref|2811}} The [[MaiPon]] learned much about Realmatic Theory and how it relates to [[Forgery]] by study and observation{{wob ref|2103}} and are aware of concepts like Identity and Connection.{{tes ref|12}} The [[Ire]], and perhaps other pre-[[Reod]] [[Elantrian]]s, similarly had an advanced understanding of Realmatic Theory.{{msh ref|5|2}}{{wob ref|5783}}

=== Silverlight ===
Well before the [[True Desolation]], the city of [[Silverlight]] was founded.{{wob ref|10972}} Located entirely in the Cognitive Realm,{{wob ref|2555}} Silverlight is home to many worldhoppers who have settled down as well as several people who live their entire lives there.{{wob ref|190}}{{wob ref|2520}} Located as it is in the Cognitive Realm, most of Silverlight's residents are aware of the mechanics of the cosmere.{{wob ref|190}} Additionally, Silverlight is also home to several universities with scholars who study the cosmere,{{au ref|sel}} at least one of which was founded by [[Khriss]].{{wob ref|8342}}

== Development ==
The inspiration for Realmatic Theory comes from a number of real-world philosophies. Those philosophies include [[Wikipedia: Plato| Plato]]’s [[wikipedia:theory of forms|theory of the forms]], [[wikipedia:Shinto|Shinto]] beliefs,{{wob ref|8784}}, and [[wikipedia:Baruch Spinoza|Spinoza]]. Plato’s theory of forms is the original concept for the Realms. The theory of forms states that the physical world is merely an imitation of the ideal essences of all things. This true ideal matches up with the Spiritual Realm, and the human perception of ideals matches up with the Cognitive Realm.{{wob ref|4051}} While Plato’s philosophy only includes two forms, Brandon uses three. The idea that everything has a spren comes from Shinto beliefs.{{wob ref|13834}} Spinoza’s influence is in God being in everything and everything being made of one substance. Brandon’s interpretation of this is the Shards’ Investiture permeating everything in the cosmere. Other, more minor influences include [[wikipedia:Carl Jung|Jung]] in the concept of Connection,{{wob ref|4051}} idealism,{{wob ref|12344}}, and the [[wikipedia:Ship of Theseus|ship of Theseus]] thought experiment.{{wob ref|3913}} The large number of philosophical influences on Realmatic Theory and the cosmere is because Brandon finds philosophy interesting. He took many philosophy classes in college.{{wob ref|12344}} 

Realmatic Theory was first used in ''[[Dragonsteel Prime]]'', Brandon’s second book set in the cosmere.{{wob ref|14028}} The opening chapters include someone learning about the three Realms in a classroom.{{wob ref|11996}} As Brandon wrote more cosmere books, he noticed patterns in the themes. He began to create a common energy source for the magic systems to use. Linking the books and creating the cosmere grew naturally from those themes and connections.{{wob ref|14028}} Within the currently published cosmere, the term Realmatic Theory has only been used three times: once by the [[Ire]],{{msh ref|5|2}} once by [[Shalash]],{{book ref|sa4|17}} and once by [[Design]].{{book ref|yumi|17}} Khriss has used the phrase "Realmatic Transition" in the ''[[Words of Radiance]]'' [[Ars Arcanum]] to describe the [[Surge]] of [[Surge#Transportation|Transportation]].{{book ref|sa2|part=ars}} She also used the phrase "Realmic transition" once in the essay on the [[Taldain system]] to describe how [[sand mastery]] works.{{au ref|taldain}} The difference, if any, between these two terms is as yet unknown.

== Notes ==
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[[es:Teoría Realmática]]