Re: How to tell if a theory is a good one

From: robert j. kolker (nowhere_at_nowhere.net)
Date: 10/19/04 

Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 11:31:15 -0400

Bilge wrote:

> I guess that since I haven't measured the mass of every hydrogen atom,
> there might be an anomolous one out there, that could potentially threaten
> a theory of hydrogen atoms, huh? Oh, but wait. If the mass were different,
> it wouldn't be a hydrogen atom.

All it takes is one counterexample to negate the conjuction of all the
premises underlying a theory. Modus Tollens. A valid principle of
inference. The counter example does not tell which one of the underlying
assumptions is wrong. It only tells you that one of the underlying
assumptions is wrong.

Either you accept the inference rules of FOL as operative or you don't.
The majority of mathematicians do.

And there is no such thing as a random number. There are sequences whose
rules of generation are as long as the sequences themselves. These are
Kolomogorf Random and the only random things I know of which exist
mathematically.

If you want to call a measurable function a random number, go right ahead.

Bob Kolker

Relevant Pages

  • Re: How to tell if a theory is a good one
    ... > a theory of hydrogen atoms, ... The counter example does not tell which one of the underlying ... The majority of mathematicians do. ... rules of generation are as long as the sequences themselves. ...
    (sci.physics.particle)
  • Re: How to tell if a theory is a good one
    ... > a theory of hydrogen atoms, ... The counter example does not tell which one of the underlying ... The majority of mathematicians do. ... rules of generation are as long as the sequences themselves. ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
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