Re: There is no gap between philosophy and physics - is belief evil?

From: Robert J. Kolker (robert_kolker_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 07/15/04 

Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 08:55:53 GMT

Bilge wrote:

>
> String theory itself is irrelevant here. The point is that there are
> scientists who are well known and highly regarded as first rate scientists
> who disagree with your idea of what science is supposed to be and the
> purpose of physical theories.

Reany's point #3 is valid for all theories with any generality. Such
theories have at least one universally quantified postulate with braod
domain of applications, very often an infinite domain. It is
-impossible- to verify that such postulates are true. That would require
an infinite number of operation over all times and places. One can only
falsify universally quantified postulates by providing a counter
example, i.e. a fact that contradicts the postulate. So universal
statemants can be corroberated, but not be proved empirically, but they
can be falsified empirically. Popper 101. Modus Tollens lives.

Bob Kolker

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