Theory and Reality

By Tom Brown

Fri, 09 Apr 2010
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2 comments
 

Theory and Reality

DRAFT

The principles are universal and are fundamental to scientific thought / method.

I have little more than layman’s knowledge in any of the areas and theories discussed.

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CREATION / EVOLUTION

- Good / Poor Theories

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&
As far as the laws of Mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.

Albert Einstein

RELATIVITY THEORY / NEWTON’S “LAWS”

- Mechanics
- Observations

- Physical Measurements
- Laboratories / Experiments
- Equipment / Precision

- (Maturity of) Mathematical Methods

- Physical Reality / Mathematical Models

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QUANTUM MECHANICS

The Facts

- Experiments / Observations

- Quantum Theory

- “Random” Events?
- Philosophy
- Determinism

- Information / Data
- Statistical Models / Methods

- Limitations?

&
Max Planck

The quantum hypothesis will eventually find it’s exact expression in certain equations which will be a more exact formulation of the law of causality.

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THERMODYNAMICS

Transfer of Heat / Caloric

Defining Temperature

- Exact Meaning?
- Absolute Zero
- Measuring?

Defining Entropy

- Meaning of?
- Measuring?

Physical Existence of?

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COSMOLOGY

- “Big Bang”
- Oscillating Universe etc?

- Ptolemy / Copernicus / Galileo
- Moon and Earth

- “Dark Matter”

- “Neutron stars & Black-holes” ?

= = =

HISTORY AND THEOLOGY

- Fact / Theory

- Pre-history
- Proto-history
- History

- Future

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STRONG / WEAK THEORIES

Ockham’s Razor
Albert Einstein
Mental illness / Paranoia

&
Never confuse your theory with reality!

Certificate U
Story
A Mustard Seed
Nature

Comments

Submitted by JoseHdz on
like it.

Submitted by Tom Brown on
This is a plan for a project on the philosophy of science and it will take a while to complete. It is ambitious really. It is meant to be widely accessible and is in a very practical spirit. The idea is to write it as separate “chapters” each presented as a distinct Abc story. I’ve already started, it will take some time to complete. There’s lots of preparation. There are facts I need, there are some simple calculations. My understanding in the fields of classical mechanics, modern physics and cosmology should suffice. The hardest (and worst) part is Thermodynamics. Already in the accepted definitions fundamental concepts such as temperature and entropy are not clear, not concrete, not universally measurable. Even the name itself is incorrect. It should in fact be Thermostatics. The term Thermodynamics would apply more accurately in the study of heat transfer. I have recently begun a very basic mathematical study on the “Moon-Earth”. I believe I am able to make a significant contribution. Sir Isaac Newton was reported to have said regarding to the problem of the Moon’s orbit that it is the only problem that “causeth my head to ache”. In principle my ideas already are in order.