[MD] Metaphysics

[markhsmit]

> [Marsha]
> I think I remember that Einstein used Riemannian geometry in the general
> theory of relativity. 
> Is the general theory of relativy science? 
> 
> [Krimel]
> It is a work of theoretical physics.

Marsha:
I guess you are saying that theoretical physics, Einstein's general theory 
of relativity, is not science because it uses deductive logic which is not 
the basis of the scientific method. 

[Krimel]
Scientists employ any means they wish to construct a theory or a hypothesis.
They can use induction or deduction. They can see it in a dream or get it
from a Ouija board. But, the theory has to be testable, It needs to offer
some improvement in our understanding or our ability to make predictions.
That is, a new theory has to improve our ability to reduce uncertainty.
Einstein's theory offered predictions about certain observable events that
differed from Newton's theory.
[Mark]
Marsha,
What you seem to be asking is what is the scientific method.  As Krimel suggests, one
of the results of the scientific method is predictability.  In hindsight one could say
that if predictability results, a scientific method was used.  This kind of explanation
is useful for illumination purposes.  Another way to view it, is that the
scientific method is really just an elaborate extension of what we all do every day.
When you put your hand in the shower to see if it is warm enough, that is the
scientific method.  The science is predicting that at a certain interval the water will
become warm enough to get in.  To become more scientific about it, you would
time the interval that it takes to get warm with a watch.  If you pay attention, then
you may notice that it takes longer if it is cold outside.  So, you have to introduce
a new variable, that is the temperature outside.  Also the rate of warming depends
on how fast the water is flowing.  As the detail of these observations grow, the
predictability gets better.  This is no different from other empirical studies, they
just get more and more complicated.  Measurement, prediction, measurement
prediction, introduction of new variable, prediction, measurement, test for accuracy.

Those that are good at this, compile many of these variables in their heads without
knowing it and can take jumps.  They can amalgamate seemingly unrelated observations
and bring them into the equation.  These genius leaps mark a good scientist, and
are similar to genius leaps in art, sports, and, yes, even religion.  Einstein was
able to do this with general relativity.  However to do so he had to go against
conventional thinking.  This is also the mark of a creative scientist, which
are periodically needed to bridge seemingly wrong data.  Many of Einstein's
predictions took years to prove afterwards.  He based much of his
science on math, which has a remarkable property of predicting what
we observe.  The trick is trying to understand what the equations mean
in the real world, and whether they are useful.  An infinite number of
equations can be formulated, only a few are useful.  An intuitive
grasp of the right choice is needed as it gets more complicated.

So, there is nothing mysterious about the scientific method, you use
it all the time.

Cheers,
Mark










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