[MD] Metaphysics

[MarshaV]

No Mark, the subject was not the scientific method.  The subject is deductive
logic which Krimel said might have problems because of NonEuclidean geometry 
such as Riemannian geometry, which Einstein used in the general theory of
relativity.  But he'd rather dance away with a Ouiji board.   Fine. 

Marsha   






On Jan 17, 2010, at 11:27 AM, markhsmit wrote:

> 
> 
>> [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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