Re: SR Postulate on Speed of Light

Look, to you Tim, and David Smith - you're still misunderstanding me.
Probably becuse I mixed two thoughts.
1. 'Reality' as opposed to perception: If we cannot tell whether the
'real' speed of light is constant (or even if there is such a thing as
a 'real' speed of light), this doesn't remove the question from
physics. It just removes the answer from physics. For now. In future we
may be able to answer this in some way by physics. If you had asked a
caveman how far away the stars are, would he have been able to tell?
But if we had left curiousity about this question up to philosphers
alone we would never have answered it.So all I'm saying is, there is no
wall dividing questions up between philosophy and physics. They rather
co-operate on the question. But perhaps you misunderstand what I mean
by philosophy. I don't mean airy-fairy wonderings about angels on pins.
I thinking of the great philosophers who have analysed the science of
logic and enhanced our ability to use the power of reason to deduce
correct conclusions and detect false ones. Which leads me to my other
thought: about paradoxes.
2. A theory has to be logical. Not common sensical. Just logical.
That's all I'm saying. SRT/GR may be logical. I personally have my
doubts, not because of time dilation in itself, but because of the
paradoxes - if they are indeed there. But if I can see how my
(currently tentative) opinion might be wrong I'll change it quicker
than greased lightning. But at the end of the day if a theory's
predictions *don't* make sense, if the theory does indeed predict
paradoxes, then putting the paradoxes into the philosophy section
doesn't save it. But you probably agree with me there.
And for the record, just because thousands believe it doesn't make it
right. Look how many people 'knew' the world was flat (because
otherwise you would fall off.) Sometimes the pressure of not seeing any
other option, or the love of an elegant lateral thought, or a long-held
allegiance that takes a life of its own, or peer pressure alone, can
cause large numbers of people to hold to a group opinion. I don't think
I'm clever than them all - just more arrogant.

.

Relevant Pages

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