Re: What form of matter will last the longest?

From: tadchem (tadchemNOSPAM_at_comcast.net)
Date: 07/18/04 

Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2004 15:27:41 -0400

"|-|erc" <gotch@beauty.com> wrote in message
news:uqsKc.6009$K53.2828@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

<snip>

> everyone in sci.math thinks maths is the superset of knowledge
> everyone in sci.physics thinks physics is the superset of knowledge

Herc, I suspect you may be over-generalizing and oversimplifying.

Each group is comfortable with knowledge within its own demesne (trying to
avoid confusion over the word "domain," which has specific technical
definitions within each field of study).

The set of mathematical knowledge is not the same as the set of physical
knowledge, as the very definitions of the word "knowledge" differ between
the fields. The difference is in the criteria for testing knowledge for
validity - mathematical knowledge must be proven by logical techniques,
while physical knowledge must be validated by empirical techniques.

Philosophers (especially epistemologists) are (or should be) aware of the
fact that much confusion arises over semantics, wherein various participants
in a debate are using the same words differently, and will therefore *never*
come to agreement until the definitions are clarified and agreeable
terminology can be used. In my own sophomore epistemology class I
identified seven distinct definitions of the English word "knowledge" used
by 20th century philosophers and determined that they were functions of
language - the several concepts translated into distinct and different words
when the discussion was presented in German.

Reasonable and well-informed practitioners in both fields are aware of these
differences and do not have a problem with that.

Unfortunately there are also *un*reasonable and *ill*-informed practitioners
in both fields.

Tom Davidson
Richmond, VA

Relevant Pages

  • Re: What form of matter will last the longest?
    ... > everyone in sci.physics thinks physics is the superset of knowledge ... as the very definitions of the word "knowledge" differ between ... while physical knowledge must be validated by empirical techniques. ... identified seven distinct definitions of the English word "knowledge" used ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: What form of matter will last the longest?
    ... > everyone in sci.physics thinks physics is the superset of knowledge ... as the very definitions of the word "knowledge" differ between ... while physical knowledge must be validated by empirical techniques. ... identified seven distinct definitions of the English word "knowledge" used ...
    (sci.math)
  • Re: Converstation with Jeckyl and someone about implausibility of
    ... experiences and in the other it doesn't. ... need to differ with regards to the *known* laws of physics. ... physicalism or actual consciousness .. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Converstation with Jeckyl and someone about implausibility of
    ... that neither hypothesised reality would need ... to differ with regards to the *known* laws of physics. ... physically identical mechanisms one consciously experiencing and the ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Professor Uses Mathematics to Decode Beatles Songs
    ... dissed the math professor's research? ... techniques used in the analysis. ... as well as the mathematics. ... And if you don't understand how physics, ...
    (rec.music.beatles)