Posted by
glen ropella on
Apr 22, 2013; 5:35pm
URL: http://friam.383.s1.nabble.com/How-do-forces-work-tp7582853p7582902.html
Russ Abbott wrote at 04/22/2013 10:21 AM:
> How would you say "E = MC^2" without language?
I don't think a scientist would say such a thing. But I also don't
think "E = MC^2" is science.
Yes, I know. After saying that, you will (again) think to yourself that
it's not worth talking to me. ;-) But the point Nick raises remains.
Science is about peeking and poking the stuff around you, not idealizing
everything down into abstract math. The math is a tool, but not the
objective.
So, a scientist would not say "E = MC^2". A scientist would say
something like "If I manipulate machine X with buttons Y and Z, then A,
B, and C obtain." What that experiment _means_, ideologically, is left
to the metaphysicians, some of which may trigger new behaviors in the
scientists.
So, your question boils down to "how would you teach a student to run a
particle accelerator without talking or writing anything down?"
--
=><= glen e. p. ropella
Swan diving off the tongues of crippled giants
============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe
http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com