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Even if the universe is not discretized, there is no reason to completely discount the value of mathematics. Continuous probability distributions of particle l
by CompelTechnic 8y ago
Even if the universe is not discretized, there is no reason to completely discount the value of mathematics. Continuous probability distributions of particle locations still have meaning, individual entities can still be disambiguated as local maxima of density gradients, counting can still be built up from raw axioms and set theory.
Even for people don't accept the "monism" (to use a metaphor to the monism/ dualism debate of the human mind and body) of physics and mathematics, these same people cannot avoid accepting that correctly applied theoretical manipulations of mathematical symbols jive perfectly well with the predicted, physical outcome they represent. Does claiming that the numbers don't mean anything mean anything?
- swerveonem 8y agoWell said, I wish I knew you in real life.
- pphysch 8y agoI don't know where you read that I "completely discount the value of mathematics". >"...cannot avoid accepting that correctly applied theoretical manipulations of mathematical symbols jive perfectly well with the predicted, physical outcome they represent." Close, except for "perfectly". Mathematics and other scientific models are approximations of reality and nothing more. They are fantastic tools but don't be misled into thinking they give a "perfect" picture.