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

From: Albert (alwagner_at_tcac.net)
Date: 07/25/04 

Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2004 19:48:00 -0500

reany@asu.edu (Patrick Reany) wrote:
<snip>
> You scientific realists are so narrow in your thinking. In the
> first place, physical models don't have to have anything to do
> with reality.

Of course they do. Until the model, in experience, is proven to
be lacking it is useful for describing aspects of observed
reality and predicting future reality. To me the problem seems
to be one of semantics. Scientists would avoid much criticism if
they would simply use the words 'AS IF'; Then the rest of us
could all agree: "Yes, It's AS IF your evidence describes
such-and-such a reality, and as long as the model yields accurate
predictions we can continue to use it, AS IF it were the truth."

<snip>
> Bilge, how would you prove that there exists a real hydrogen
> atom? (I accept that hydrogen atoms exist as a personal belief.
> The question isn't whether they exist or not as a belief; the
> question is how to construct a rational proof that they exist.
> The key question implicit here is that if something can be
> proved to exist, there ought to be a way of identifying it
> conclusively and objectively.)

A model of a hydrogen atom, properly constructed, adequately
describes a set of phenomena that we have *named* hydrogen atom.
It is AS IF that set of phenomena is actually a thing.

Mind game: What properties of a hydrogen atom would the human
based scientists in The Matrix be able to determine? Their whole
world, including their laws of physics were only virtual, as were
their tools of observation.

<snip> 

-- 
"Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the
range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally
impossible, because there will be no words in which to express
it."
    -- George Orwell as Syme in "1984"

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