>
> As Brent Meeker has pointed out, physical theories are just models to make
> predictions about how the world works*. If physists get carried away and
> say
> "this is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" then they
> are
> talking metaphysics, not physics.
>
> Stathis Papaioannou
>
The archaic usage of the word metaphysics, which became a pejorative
somewhere around the time of Kant, is no longer viable or productive. The
modern usage of the term Meta = about... far more productive.
meta-chemistry example...table of elements
meta-data ... computer science term
meta-mathematics ... 'about' a mathematics
I'd like to eliminate the older usage of the term. It doesn't work as a
descriptor, especially in physics!
You're right about the physicists, though... they are the most
'model-bound' in all science. Their beliefs about what they do...in effect
a theology of mathematical models... is worst in cosmology. To continue to
believe in the intractability of any formulation of an underlying reality
in spite of glaring evidence to the contrary...and that it is deserved of
a pejorative label is.....
...... theology
A much better pejorative!
cheers,
Colin Hales
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group.
To post to this group, send email to everything-list.domain.name.hidden
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to everything-list-unsubscribe.domain.name.hidden
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
Received on Thu Aug 24 2006 - 18:41:53 PDT