What makes us believe scientific theories?

What makes us believe scientific theories?

At the basis of scientific theories are its axioms, and its methods. For example, you can believe in physics but not have a glimmer of the nature of gravity, (This is a problem for physicists, as well). In this sense, we all believe in our scientific theories, but not so much in the axioms that form their basis. Even many mathematicians do not understand the regularity axiom, or even infinity, for that matter, but they believe in them.

The hallmark of a good scientific theory is (a) its predictability, and (b) its ability to explain new phenomena. If the theory explains new evidence, this usually sustains the theory. If not, such as with anomalies in physics many times in the past, this becomes a trigger for a new theory or a revision of the old one. In psychology, Kahneman’s Prospect Theory has gained much validation as prediction and explanation are its hallmarks as evidence builds. This is why we believe them; it is because we trust them.

Remember, all theories are vulnerable. They are “suggestions” of what is the case. Their utility lasts only so long as they can explain new stuff within their context, and predict what may happen. No theory from ancient times has survived. It is likely, that no current theory will go unchallenged. Most will eventually fail completely.

---------------------

Comments

Human Simulation is Possible - by Humans

Human Simulation: Agent-Based Modeling and the Computational Case for Our Reality 1. Introduction In the essay, we introduce the notion that humanity could be a deliberate simulation based on an extremely simple single-celled organism, hardly anything more complex than that. This will allow an (apparently) new interpretation of the notion that humanity is simulated, but that there is no master engineer at a massive number of dials and switches, responsible for every twist and turn of our universe and lives. We begin with the notion that the universe exists and operates under its own laws. So, given the Earth [2] , when and where life first began, it was infused with a living agent, self-actualized, reproductive, and with other basic rules for its operations, interactions, and much of what single-celled organisms do today. The idea from this occurred some years back when writing code in ActionScript (formerly Flash), I was able to create...

The Calculus of Ideas and Patterns

Introduction. When dealing with ideas, patterns, intuition, and brainstorming, we need operations or rules not unlike those of arithmetic. The goal is not proof, a finished device, or a fait accompli , but rather a foundation for further investigation and study. In some cases, these operations may yield a proposition, that is, something capable of being proved. In this sense, they form a practical logic of intuition. The article concludes with a few select examples from a variety of venues. Setting. We are working with a given idea, problem, or project, or simply just thinking. Our aim is to discover pathways, patterns, or conceptual connections that may be useful. The following operations describe ways in which ideas and patterns can be generated, transformed, or refined. These also work toward understanding the imagination. Yet, this framework is distinguished from formal logic and proof. We are tempted to call them as “soft logic” because while nothing is proved, reasons...

Hugging your pet.

There are two kinds of pet people: Those who love their pet and hug it to show affection, and those who hug themselves with their pet. By the way, in the photo below, you see a baby echidna. They are called puggles.

First Blog

Search This Blog