Re: DB clasical structure violation

On 9 Jul 2002 01:28:15 -0700, anthony.youngman_at_eca-international.com (Anthony Youngman) wrote:

>> It is not only theory, it is scientifical theory.
>>
>Please explain the difference ...

Scientifical theories are mathematical models intended to model real world observations. Scientifical theories must be contrasted with experimentation.

A math theory is tautological. A math theory doesn't give any information about the real world, it is infered from a set of axioms.

>What do you mean? Newton's theory of Gravity is presumably also a
>tautological abstract reasoning.

Of course not!

Newton theory of gravity is a physics theory, not a math theroy like set theory. Theory of gravity is based on observation and experimentation.

You can't infere the theory of gravity from statements like 1 = 1

> And how on earth can something be
>"inspired by" and yet "not based upon"?

It is very easy. The math theories are usually develped in order to help to solve practical problems.

>What is science, if not applied statistics?

But statistics are not science are a tool for making science.

>To my mind, Pure Mathematics is playing with numbers for the sake of
>playing with numbers. Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics are then
>playing with logically coherent mathematical models which may or may
>not bear some resemblance to the real world.

If a physic theory is not coherent with real world observations then it is a wrong theory, even if it is mathematically correct formulated.

> Applied Physics is then
>the application statistics (part of pure maths?) to correlate the
>mathematical model with observed reality.

It is a part, the contrasting part.

>In short, I don't have a clue as to what you imply is the difference
>between "theory" and "scientific theory". To me, they are exactly the
>same thing - a mathematically and logically coherent model.

No, this is a fuzzy definition. A physic theory is more than you said.

This is what I have found in www.dictionary.com

Theory

1 A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

2 The branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as opposed to practice: a fine musician who had never studied theory.

3 A set of theorems that constitute a systematic view of a branch of mathematics.

4 Abstract reasoning; speculation: a decision based on experience rather than theory.

5 A belief or principle that guides action or assists comprehension or judgment: staked out the house on the theory that criminals usually return to the scene of the crime.

6 An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.

Physic theory is 1
Set theory is 3.
And you have 4 more aceptions.

>But I then have to map this to the observed world, and to my mind all
>too often set theory doesn't map comfortably with what I observe.

Are you saying that you have observed things like this?

{1,2,3} U {3,4,5} <> {1,2,3,4,5}

or

2 + 2 = 5 :-)

Alfredo Received on Tue Jul 09 2002 - 23:45:28 CEST